A COUNCIL has announced it will not renew a five-figure contract with Russian energy firm Gazprom when it ends later this year.

Worthing Borough Council spent £57,385 on a contract with the state-owned corporation last year, figures from data firm Tussell revealed.

However, a council spokesman said it following Russia's invasion of Ukraine it will not renew the agreement when the contract ends in September.

He said: “We purchase the energy we need through the LASER framework run by Kent County Council, which sources energy suppliers for several local authorities and public sector organisations through long-term deals that gain the most cost-effective rates.

“We have started the process required to remove the council from that contract and have contacted LASER to re-procure for our gas supply.

“We will continue to follow Cabinet Office guidance on the purchase of energy.”

Data from Tussell found total public sector spend in the UK with Gazprom between 2016 and 2021 was £107 million, with more than a quarter (£29 million) from local authorities.

Suffolk and Manchester were the councils most reliant on Gazprom, spending more than £4 million each within the last six years.

A number of councils have announced their intention to end contracts with Gazprom and are exploring alternative options, following the invasion.

Hundreds of civilians have been killed and more than two million people have fled their homes in the conflict, which has been condemned by leaders around the world.

A spokesman for the Local Government Association said: “Councils are deeply saddened by the tragic events unfolding in Ukraine and are following the situation closely.

“It is up to individual councils to decide how to act locally but, like many organisations, they will be reviewing what action they might want to take in light of UK sanctions and the ongoing situation.”

The government has announced a hike on import tariffs for hundreds of goods, including Russian vodka, under a raft of new UK economic sanctions on the country as it continues to inflict punitive measures in response to the invasion.