Sir Keir Starmer has said people would have to be “supported” heading into the winter as the resumption of US strikes on Iran threatened to push energy bills higher.
The Prime Minister declined to comment on the shape of any support package, which would be up to his successor, but suggested one would be needed to deal with the fallout of the Iran crisis.
Speaking to reporters at the Nato summit in Ankara, Turkey, Sir Keir said: “It is important that people are supported, particularly as we go into the winter months, but the extent of that is to be determined.
“The extent of that is going to depend on international affairs. If the ceasefire can be maintained, resumed and the deal can be effectively implemented, and therefore the Strait of Hormuz can be opened, that is what’s going to make a bigger difference this winter to energy bills than anything else the Government is able to do.”
The ceasefire between the US and Iran collapsed this week, with Tehran attacking vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and America carrying out strikes in response.
At the Nato summit, US President Donald Trump said the ceasefire was “over” and threatened further strikes against Iran.
The renewed hostilities threaten to again disrupt shipping transiting the Gulf channel and cause difficulties in securing a permanent end to the conflict, launched by the US and Israel on February 28.
Such disruption is likely to mean higher energy bills across the world as oil prices rise in response to supply problems.
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