THE country is facing an energy crisis which could see a return to three-day working weeks if forecasts of a bitterly-cold winter prove accurate, Digby Jones warned yesterday.
The director-general of the Confederation of British Industry said companies would have to cut output because of insufficient power reserves.
He said: "If it is a hard winter, there won't be sufficient capacity for business and to keep pensioners warm.
"It will be back to the days of three and four-day weeks."
Mr Jones was referring to the 1973 energy crisis which saw the Government cut industrial production to three days a week to keep energy use down, to counter an OPEC oil embargo and coal miners' strikes.
He said he would be accused of being alarmist, but felt he needed to issue the warning.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article