Warning that Russian gas could be cut off adds to worries of hard-pressed families 

Staff at the Yamal-Europe gas transfer station near Nesvizh, 130km west of Minsk in Belarus. The supply of Russian gas to Europe may be cut off, adding further to the pressure on fuel prices. Picture: Viktor Drachev/AFP/Getty

The Government has warned that a complete shut-off of Russian gas supplies to Europe cannot be ruled out, as it confirmed a package of cost-of-living support measures will be announced in the autumn.

Announcing the summer economic statement, Public Expenditure Minister Michael McGrath and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said the focus would be on easing pressure on households, with €6.7bn available in expenditure in a budget that has been brought forward to September to reflect the urgency of the crisis.