'Catastrophic' sanctions against Russia will hit poorer households in UK, MPs warn

23 March 2022, 00:01

Sanctions against Russia could be "catastrophic" for the country, but they will also come at a cost to the UK and hit the poorest households hardest, an influential group of MPs has warned.

A report by the Treasury Select Committee revealed the UK is not protected against the economic impact of unprecedented sanctions on Russian oil and gas and that soaring prices will intensify the cost-of-living crisis for the whole country.

Low-income households will suffer the most from surging fuel and energy bills caused by the sanctions and further punitive measures will inflict yet more pain, it found.

Read more: Pressure mounts on Rishi ahead of 'crucial' spring statement as cost of living soars

Read more: Govt taxing 'wrong people' and those with 'broadest shoulders' should pay up, Rayner says

The cross-party group of MPs said the impact on the UK is a "cost worth bearing" to help Ukraine in fighting for its freedom and to damage Russia's ability to fund the war.

But it called on the Government to support households and protect them from rocketing prices as it moves ahead with sanctions, particularly those on the lowest incomes.

Minister explains sanctions against oligarchs

The committee's report said: "If energy sanctions and reductions in demand are introduced in line with the statements made by the United States, EU, the UK and others then the impact on Russia's economy could be catastrophic and long lasting.

"There will be a cost to the UK economy of the economic sanctions imposed on Russia.

Read more: Corbyn would have sent missiles to Ukraine, says Angela Rayner

Read more: Russia says 10,000 troops killed in Ukraine as Kremlin papers reveal true cost of conflict

"It is not possible yet to quantify that cost, but the committee believes that... it is most definitely a cost worth bearing in order to aid Ukraine in opposing Russian aggression.

"However, that cost, combined with the already present pressures in the UK on the cost of living, will impact the whole country, and will be felt particularly by low-income households."

Coveney outlines EU response to Russian invasion

It comes as pressure mounts on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to offer some much-needed protection from the cost-of-living squeeze in Wednesday's spring statement.

Government borrowing figures released on Tuesday suggested that, while February's out-turn was higher than forecast, he is on track to significantly undershoot full-year official independent forecasts, which offers room for support measures.

Mel Stride, chairman of the Treasury Committee, said: "This war will also have economic consequences here at home, and while these are worth bearing to support Ukraine in their fight for freedom, it's becoming increasingly clear that the Government will need to support those who are hit hardest by price rises.

"Recent reports show that the public finances are in a stronger position than anticipated, and the Chancellor should use this additional fiscal firepower to bring forward support for those on the lowest incomes."

Read more: Mariupol resident shares harrowing account of Putin's barbaric siege

Read more: Dean Dunham: What to hope for in Sunak's Spring Statement amid 'perfect financial storm'

The committee said one of the boldest moves of the financial sanctions package so far has been measures levelled at the Russian Central Bank, which have denied access by Russia to half of its reserves.

This comes on top of the energy sanctions, which are likely to cause "significant" damage to the Russian economy, it added.

However, it urged the Government to clarify the guidance to businesses involved in implementing sanctions and to boost resources for the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation.