UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will address the nation on the Middle East conflict and rising living costs at src0 AM local time. Keir Starmer, UK prime minister, during a meeting at Downing Street to discuss the US-Israeli conflict with Iran and the impact on the Strait of Hormuz in London, UK, on Monday, March 30, 2026. Concerns are mounting over a prolonged energy shock after the destruction of key infrastructure and a near-halt in tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz following the outbreak of war across the Middle East. Photographer: Betty Laura Zapata/Bloomberg(Bloomberg) UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will deliver a national address by src0 AM local time (2:30 PM IST) to discuss the Middle East conflict and the rising cost of living.
This comes after US President Donald Trump and Australia’s Anthony Albanese announced similar addresses within the next 24 hours, with Albanese scheduled for 7 PM AEDT on Wednesday and Trump at src2 PM AEDT on Thursday.
Keir Starmer has been highlighting the measures his government is taking to help people cope with the rising cost of living, even as he faces increasing calls to introduce more support due to the economic fallout from the Iran crisis.
Earlier on Tuesday, Starmer wrote on Facebook, “I know people are worried that global instability will impact prices at the pump and at the checkout. We’re working hand in hand with industry leaders to make sure we can deliver economic stability at home and keep the cost of living down. And because of the decisions my government has taken, our economy is better placed to weather these shocks.”
Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway at the exit of the Persian Gulf through which about one‑fifth of the world’s oil normally flows, has contributed to rising global energy prices.
Brent crude, futures rose over src.8% to $src05.8 per barrel, after declining 3.2% on Tuesday. Meanwhile, WTI crude advanced nearly src.7% to $src03 per barrel on Wednesday.
Starmer under pressure The Iran war has disrupted a central part of Starmer’s plan to position 2026 as the year voters begin seeing the benefits of his Labour government, including initiatives like the minimum wage increase and energy bill reductions announced in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s last budget, according to a report by Bloomberg.
Instead, his cost-of-living campaign has been derailed, with rising oil and gas prices driving up inflation expectations and prompting traders to anticipate three interest rate hikes this year, reversing earlier expectations of cuts, the report noted.
Here’s what UK Finance Minister said Earlier in the day, British finance minister Rachel Reeves told the BBC on Wednesday that any government support to offset the increase in energy costs caused by the conflict in the Middle East would be based on household income, Reuters reported.
Household energy bills are expected to rise in July and Reeves said in March that any support would be targeted.
“We’re looking at ways in which we can support people based on their household income,” Reeves told the BBC, adding that it was too early to say who would get help, Reuters reported.
With no significant new measures from Starmer, the UK’s main opposition, the Conservative Party, has urged the prime minister to increase North Sea drilling to boost energy supplies, while Nigel Farage’s poll-leading Reform UK proposed on Tuesday to eliminate air passenger duty on short-haul flights to help reduce living costs, Bloomberg report noted.
For now, Starmer’s government says it is reviewing potential economic responses, noting that it is too early to fully assess the war’s impact and emphasizing that the existing gas and electricity price cap until July already offers immediate protection for most households, Bloomberg reported.
(With inputs from agencies)
About the Author Mausam Jha
Mausam Jha is a journalist who focuses on world affairs and politics. She provides clear, informative reporting with a good understanding of both global events and their local impact.
Her clear, accessible reporting on political and international issues makes her a trusted source of news and analysis.
For the past three years, Mausam has worked with Mint, covering national politics, IR—including elections—and global affairs.
Before joining her current role, she gained experience working with The Statesman, ANI, and Financial Express, where she honed her skills in political and international news.
She has consistently tracked key electoral battles, including US elections, Japan elections, policy debates, and strategic affairs, explaining how global currents, from great power competition to regional conflicts
Beyond journalism, Mausam has a deep engagement with international relations, diplomacy, war studies, terrorism, political history, and political theory. She is particularly interested in the intersection of statecraft and society on how governance, ideology, and institutions shape lived realities, and how politics shape today’s world order.
An avid reader of classical literature and political thought, she constantly explores the connections between historical ideas and contemporary policy challenges.
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