Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will pledge fresh support for households facing rising energy costs driven by the war in the Middle East. Speaking in Downing Street, he will say that helping families with the cost of living is his first priority, as heating oil prices have doubled following disruption to oil supplies leaving the region. The government has identified funding to assist the 1.5 million households that rely on heating oil, which is not covered by the energy price cap.

Sir Keir is expected to warn energy suppliers against exploiting the crisis by inflating prices, raising concerns about reports of cancelled orders and sharp price increases. He has said the government will not tolerate companies profiting unfairly and that legal action will be taken if laws are broken. Ministers recently met industry representatives to reinforce that message.

The Prime Minister will also argue that de-escalating the conflict is the fastest way to ease cost-of-living pressures, as a blockade affecting a key oil shipping route has driven up global prices. The government is considering further steps, including potential adjustments to fuel duty and possible naval deployments to help secure shipping routes, while also providing humanitarian aid to those affected by the widening regional conflict.