Energy prices in Britain have more than doubled and are predicted for a 5 fold increase by April. Apart from the suffering to millions of vulnerable people, this could well cause an economic depression as energy bills will consume most peoples spare income. We buy half our gas from the North Sea and can intervene in our own market, so that North Sea gas is not bought at international prices but is set lower. This will radically diffuse the problem immediately and will prevent vast amounts of unnecessary suffering. The government needs to act now.