Starmer says ministers will consider ‘every lever possible’ to tackle cost of living – UK politics live | Politics
Starmer says ministers will examine ‘every avenue’ available to help people with cost of living at Cobra meeting on Iran war
Keir Starmer Cobra said ministers would consider “every means” at their disposal to help people with living costs when the emergency committee meets this afternoon to discuss the war in Iran.
Speaking in a mass TV interview during his visit this morning, he said:
Cobra is the ultimate opportunity to bring people together on issues of real, important national importance.
Obviously Cobras are generally used for military and consular matters, but I think most people are now very concerned about the Iran war, not only what they see on screen about the conflict, but also the question: ‘How is it going to affect me and my family?’
And today we’re looking at the economic impact, and I’d like to discuss any ways the government could use to deal with the cost of living in Cobra.
So the Bank of England and others are there.
But when it comes to the cost of living, I want to make sure we’re doing everything we can during such a difficult time.
He also said he knows the cost of living is “the number one issue on people’s minds across the country.” He continued:
It’s really important for me to emphasize that this government always takes the cost of living into consideration when making decisions.
Graeme Wearden The live business blog has a good summary of this morning’s economic news.
important events
Starmer condemns ‘appalling antisemitic attack’ on London’s Jewish community ambulance service
Keir Starmer The Jewish community in Golders Green, north London, described the arson attack on the ambulance service as “appalling” antisemitism.
When asked about the attack, he told broadcasters:
This is a terrible antisemitic attack. And of course my thoughts, I think all our thoughts will be with the people around here, with the residents who are understandably very concerned, and with the deeply concerned Jewish community across the country.
I have already been in touch with community leaders this morning and will continue to do so throughout the day.
But antisemitism has no place in our society, and at a moment like this it’s really important that we all stand together.
At work Kevin RawlinsonStory about what police considered an anti-Semitic hate crime.
Starmer says there is ‘no assessment’ that Iran is targeting Britain with long-range missiles
Keir Starmer He also rejected claims that people in the UK were at risk from missiles fired from Iran.
There were suggestions at the weekend that the UK could be vulnerable after it was revealed that Iran had fired two ballistic missiles at the UK/US military base at Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands.
Although one of the missiles was stopped and the other was inadequate and could not reach its target, the attack caused concern. it was assumed Iran did not have long-range missiles capable of reaching London (2,700 miles from Tehran), let alone Diego Garcia (3,300 miles from Tehran).
When asked whether the UK was within range of Iranian missiles, Starmer replied:
We constantly make assessments to ensure our security, and there is no assessment that we are being targeted in this way.
But of course it’s my job to make sure that British interests, British lives, are always in my mind.
What we need here is de-escalation, and that’s why last week we received a statement from many countries about what we should do regarding the Strait of Hormuz. It is obvious that careful coordination and a feasible plan is needed regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
Asked specifically about the missiles targeting the Chagos Islands, Starmer said they were “reckless actions by Iran against British interests” but neither hit the target.
Starmer says ministers will examine ‘every avenue’ available to help people with cost of living at Cobra meeting on Iran war
Keir Starmer Cobra said ministers would consider “every means” at their disposal to help people with living costs when the emergency committee meets this afternoon to discuss the war in Iran.
Speaking in a mass TV interview during his visit this morning, he said:
Cobra is the ultimate opportunity to bring people together on issues of real, important national importance.
Obviously Cobras are generally used for military and consular matters, but I think most people are now very concerned about the Iran war, not only what they see on screen about the conflict, but also the question: ‘How is it going to affect me and my family?’
And today we’re looking at the economic impact, and I’d like to discuss any ways the government could use to deal with the cost of living in Cobra.
So the Bank of England and others are there.
But when it comes to the cost of living, I want to make sure we’re doing everything we can during such a difficult time.
He also said he knows the cost of living is “the number one issue on people’s minds across the country.” He continued:
It’s really important for me to emphasize that this government always takes the cost of living into consideration when making decisions.
Graeme Wearden The live business blog has a good summary of this morning’s economic news.
No 10 says Starmer had ‘constructive’ meeting with Trump after he shared TV sketch mocking PM for fearing him
Good morning. This is the last week the House of Commons meets before the Easter recess and normally we would focus on domestic policy and announcements made before the recess period. But today, while the world is focused on what will happen if Iran doesn’t meet Donald Trump’s “deadline” for opening the Strait of Hormuz tonight (he says he will “destroy” Iran’s power plants if it doesn’t get his way), foreign policy will dominate.
Starmer has two important meetings on the issue this afternoon. One of these will be broadcast live on television, but unfortunately it will be the more boring and less consequential one: his meeting with the House of Commons liaison committee. He will next chair a meeting of the government’s Cobra emergency committee, where the government will make decisions on how to respond to the possibility that the energy price crisis could worsen significantly. In a sign of how serious the economic consequences could be, Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey attended the meeting.
Ultimately, what happens in the UK will be largely determined by what happens in Washington and whether Trump decides to escalate or de-escalate tensions, and frankly, that’s anyone’s guess. At one moment it implies one thing, at another point it implies something completely different. Advocates say he’s a great defender crazy diplomacy theory; The alternative view is that he is just crazy.
Starmer actually spoke to him last night and a No 10 spokesman had this to say about the call after it had finished.
The Prime Minister spoke with US President Donald Trump this evening.
The leaders discussed the current situation in the Middle East and, in particular, the need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for the resumption of global shipping.
They agreed that reopening the Strait of Hormuz was essential to ensure stability in the global energy market.
They agreed to talk again soon.
Starmer had to establish a cordial relationship with Trump. Like almost every Prime Minister since the Second World War, he operated on the basis that being polite in public allowed the UK to exercise influence over governance in private. But Starmer spoke to Trump last night, just hours after the president posted a clip on his Truth Social account of a skit in which he brutally mocked the prime minister by saying someone from Saturday Night Live UK was afraid of him. (You can watch Here, I wouldn’t mind that though because as a comedy it sucks.)
Starmer doesn’t seem to have much influence either. Result #10 shows Starmer and Trump haven’t reached a major decision; Saying they agreed that “reopening the Strait of Hormuz is essential to ensuring stability in the global energy market” is like saying they agreed the next night.
But No. 10 says the call was “constructive.” They say it takes about 20 minutes.
Here is the agenda of the day.
Morning: Keir Starmer is visiting London to talk to broadcasters.
11.30: A lobby briefing is being held in Downing Street.
14.30: Starmer gives evidence to the House of Commons liaison committee.
14.30: Home Affairs Minister Shabana Mahmood answers questions in the House of Commons.
After 15.30: Defense Secretary John Healey is expected to make a statement in the House of Commons regarding the war in Iran.
Afternoon: Kemi Badenoch is visiting the east of England.
Afternoon: Starmer chairs a Cobra meeting
If you would like to contact me, please send a message below the line or send a message on social media during comments open hours (between 10:00 – 15:00). I can’t read all messages BTL, but if you type “Andrew” in a message addressed to me, I’m more likely to see it because I’m looking for posts containing that word.
If you want to flag something urgently, it’s best to use social media. You can reach me on Bluesky at @andrewsparrowgdn.bsky.social. The Guardian has stopped posting from their official account on
I find it very helpful when readers point out errors, even minor typos. No mistake is too small to be corrected. I also find your questions very interesting. I can’t promise to answer them all, but I will try to answer as much as I can, either on BTL or sometimes on the blog.
