1st Apr 2026 11:07
(Alliance News) - Keir Starmer has warned the Iran war will "affect the future of our country" but insisted the UK was "well-placed" to weather the storm as the conflict hits the economy and pushes up fuel and energy costs for consumers.
The UK prime minister sought to reassure Britons that there would be a "long-term plan" in place to emerge a "stronger and more secure nation" amid widespread concerns about the impact of the crisis on the cost of living.
Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will host a meeting of international leaders to "assess all viable diplomatic and political measures" to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, he said, as Tehran's stranglehold on the key shipping route has seen oil and gas prices soar.
At a Downing Street press conference on Wednesday, Starmer said he was not prepared to let the British people to relive the energy shocks of the 1970s.
"I know that this is causing huge concern," he said.
"People turn on their televisions, they look at their screens, they see explosions, infrastructure blown up, aggressive rhetoric.
"They worry that the UK will be dragged into this. We won't."
He told the televised news conference that "no matter how fierce this storm, we are well-placed to weather it" and "we have a long-term plan to emerge from it a stronger and more secure nation."
Britain will also push forwards with its pursuit of closer ties with the EU in the wake of the oil crisis, he said, as the transatlantic relationship comes under strain amid Donald Trump's repeated attacks on allies for the extent of their involvement in the conflict.
The US President has said he is considering whether to pull America out of Nato and has suggested the UK and other countries that did not take part in strikes against Iran should secure the Strait of Hormuz themselves and "go get your own oil".
Asked about the remarks on Wednesday, Starmer said he would continue to act in the British national interest "whatever the pressure on me and others, whatever the noise".
The prime minister defended Nato as "single most effective military alliance the world has ever seen" and said Britain remained fully committed to the bloc.
Starmer has faced calls to ease the cost of living, including from opposition critics who have demanded measures should be taken to cut energy bills and petrol costs.
The government has indicated it will not provide a Liz Truss-style blanket energy bailout for households, instead focusing help if it is needed on the poorest.
The price most households pay for energy under regulator Ofgem's price cap fell by 7%, or GBP117 a year, to GBP1,641 from Wednesday.
But respected energy analyst Cornwall Insight said its prediction for the watchdog's price cap from July to September now stands at GBP1,929 for a typical dual fuel household – an increase of GBP288 or 18% on April's cap.
The spike in oil prices has pushed up the cost on forecourts across the country.
Average diesel prices on Tuesday were 182.8p per litre, up 40p since the start of the conflict on February 28, with petrol at 152.8p per litre, an increase of 20p.
Fuel duty is frozen until September and the scheduled increase is under review, but other countries have already cut taxes on petrol and diesel.
The Chancellor will meet supermarket bosses and regulators on Wednesday to discuss the impact on consumers.
The extent of the economic disruption could depend on US President Donald Trump's approach to the Strait of Hormuz.
He has indicated he is prepared to walk away from the military campaign he started with Israel against Iran without securing the reopening of the vital maritime chokepoint.
By David Hughes, Nina Lloyd, David Lynch, George Thompson and Abbie Llewelyn, Press Association
Press Association: News
source: PA
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