Starmer to update on UK cost of living amid Iran war

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to provide an update on the cost of living amid concerns energy bills could rise as a result of the conflict in the Middle East.

He will address a media conference on Wednesday after promising to “protect British people at home and abroad”.

It is thought that the media conference will focus on the government’s support for households, as both the conflict and rising prices hurt.

In an interview with the BBC, finance minister Rachel Reeves said any support the government offered would be based on household income, but refused to commit to immediate support for drivers.

“I want to learn from the past because when Russia invaded Ukraine, the richest and most affluent third of the households received more than a third of the support. This makes no sense,” he said.

The finance minister will meet supermarket bosses and regulators on Wednesday to discuss the impact on consumers.

Since the start of conflict in Iran, oil prices have risen in response to Tehran blocking tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

This was revealed after US President Donald Trump claimed on his Truth Social platform that the UK was among several countries “not getting jet fuel” before the Easter holiday weekend; this claim was denied by industry body Airlines UK.

The US president said that Britain and other countries not involved in attacks on Iran should ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz themselves.

“For all the countries like the United Kingdom that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, that refuses to be involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: No. 1, buy from the USA, we have plenty of it, and No. 2, gather your overdue courage, go to the Strait and just BUY,” Trump said.

“You will have to start learning how to fight for yourself, just as you are not there for us, the United States will no longer be there to help you.”