Business secretary confirms 1,200 homes still without power in north-East England

Kwasi Kwarteng says 1,200 homes are still without power in north-east England, as concerns grow over the arrival of Storm Barra.

The business secretary tweeted this evening that 99.9% of homes have had power restored, but a further

Kwarteng added that “it is completely unacceptable it has taken this long”.

The news comes following criticism this afternoon in the House of Commons over the secretary of state’s absence from answering questions about the issues caused by Storm Arwen.

Commenting on the absence of the business secretary in the Commons, climate change secretary Ed Miliband said his no-show “adds insult to injury”.

Standing in for Kwarteng, minister for energy Greg Hands said the business secretary’s absence was due to taking a joint call with Northern Powergrid and the prime minister.