Wholesale gas prices soar in Britain after pipeline is forced to close

Number 10 plays down fears over energy stocks after a pump failure cuts off gas supply from Belgium British wholesale gas prices hit a record high on Friday after the failure of a vital import pipeline demonstrated the vulnerability of the nation's energy supply to external shocks. The breakdown and price rise followed the revelation that Britain's gas stores could run out in a few weeks if expensive overseas supplies are not piped in quickly amid unexpected demand due to unseasonal weather. Dow...