Britain's gas storage levels are worryingly low, with less than a week's worth of gas in storage after a cold snap, energy company Centrica said on Friday while the government said there was no need for concern.

Britain has always cared about the weather, but this week’s “dunkelflaute” – a spell of low temperatures and plummeting wind speeds – shows how vital it is to the economy as well as its conversations.

Britain's gas storage levels are "concerningly low", with less than a week of gas demand in store following a cold snap, Centrica, operator of the country’s largest gas storage site, said on Friday. Britain is heavily reliant on gas for its home heating and also uses a significant amount for electricity generation.

Gas inventory levels have come under added pressure from the cold weather and the end of Russian pipeline supplies through Ukraine.