Conflict in the Middle East Cost of Living
2026-04-28
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The situation in the Middle East is causing concern about potential rises in energy prices and impact on UK consumers.
What assessment has been made of the potential impact of the conflict in the middle east on energy costs?
We are monitoring the situation and preparing for every eventuality. The International Monetary Fund expects the UK to be the fastest growing European G7 economy cumulatively over this year and next. A rapid de-escalation of the conflict remains the best way to protect consumers from rising bills. We continue to act on the cost of living, with £117 on average off energy bills from 1 April, £53 million to help with the cost of heating oil, and freezing both rail fares and prescription charges.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific assessment of how Middle East conflict affects UK energy costs was not provided
Monitoring The Situation
Preparing For Ever [4D [K Every Eventuality
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Tensions in the Middle East have increased energy and food prices, putting additional pressure on struggling households. The Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister warned that families face difficulty for 'eight-plus months' ahead.
The school holidays are approaching, many low-income families in my constituency of Guildford are asking how they will get through the summer with rising costs and conflicts continuing. Children from Holy Trinity school raised concerns about this issue during a recent visit. What concrete support will the Government provide to protect the most vulnerable households from further cost pressures?
We have lifted 450,000 children out of poverty by getting rid of the two-child limit in universal credit from this month. We are expanding free childcare for children aged between nine months and five years to help parents with costs. Additionally, we have reduced energy bills by £117, frozen rail fares and prescription charges, and provided support for heating oil users.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific measures requested regarding summer holidays were not addressed directly
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Baker Hughes, employing over 300 people in Nailsea, North Somerset, faces challenges due to attacks on energy infrastructure and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
I am concerned about the impact of recent attacks on energy infrastructure and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on companies like Baker Hughes, which employs over 300 people in my constituency. Can you confirm what support the Government is providing to such companies to secure energy supplies and rebuild supply chains today, as well as invest in future infrastructure?
Baker Hughes is a prime example of how this conflict impacts businesses and families here. We have defended our Gulf allies against unprovoked attacks by Iran, working closely with them on rebuilding their infrastructure. In Britain, the supercharger scheme and British industrial competitiveness scheme are aiding companies in managing energy costs.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific support for exposed companies like Baker Hughes to secure immediate supplies and invest in future infrastructure was not detailed.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
A local haulage company in Chichester is facing a 40% increase in diesel costs, putting it at risk of bankruptcy. This situation follows the conclusion of a conflict which will continue to affect fuel prices for up to eight months.
In my constituency, the owner of a haulage business—a vital industry that keeps our economy moving—has reported a 40% increase in the cost of diesel. It is at risk of going bust, while companies like BP are reporting record profits. Given that the impact of the conflict will be felt up to eight months after its conclusion, will the Chancellor please commit to cutting fuel duty, to keep my businesses and my residents on the road?
Fuel duty was never lower at any point under the previous Conservative Government or, indeed, the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Government. We are keeping under review what happens from September, but it is important to note that in the first three months of this year, revenues from fuel duty were no higher than they were just a year ago.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to cutting fuel duty
Keeping Under Review
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Local farmers in Aylesbury are facing significant challenges due to a 70% increase in red diesel prices and rising fertiliser costs, impacting their ability to afford planting next year's crops.
I am grateful to the Chancellor for the work she is doing to protect us from the economic impacts of this war. One of my local farmers has been in touch about the impact on red diesel prices, which are up by around 70%, and fertiliser prices, and shared his nervousness about the affordability of going ahead and planting next year's crops. Can the Chancellor outline what more she can do to protect our farmers, our food security and our food prices in light of these global challenges?
When we froze fuel duty and extended that freeze, that also impacted red diesel. As we keep under review what happens to fuel duty, we will do the same for red diesel. I think there are two crucial issues. The first is protecting supply, which is why de-escalating this conflict—not ramping it up, as the Tories and Reform would do—is so important, so that we can reopen the strait of Hormuz. The second is prices and costs. That is why we have introduced the British industrial competitiveness scheme to help businesses with energy costs and the supercharger.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific measures for farmers dealing with red diesel and fertiliser costs
Keeping Under Review
De-Escalating Conflict [8D [K Conflict
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
In response to concerns about the national debt being around 95% of GDP with interest costs nearly 4%, Jeremy Hunt questioned the Chancellor's strategy for funding cost-of-living support.
Given that national debt is around 95% of GDP and debt interest costs are nearly 4% of GDP, does the Chancellor agree that it would be irresponsible to fund any cost of living support by increasing borrowing? That would further drive up borrowing costs, choke off growth and saddle future generations with totally unfair debt.
I congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on running his fourth London marathon this week for a cancer charity. I know that cause is dear to his heart. He makes an important point. I understand why people are calling for immediate support, but the previous Government's untargeted support—I understand why the former Chancellor did what he did—cost more than £100 billion in total and it meant that interest rates, inflation and taxes have ended up being higher than they needed to be. We managed to reduce Government borrowing by £20 billion last year. The budget deficit is below 5% for the first time since 2019. Sticking to fiscal responsibility is not just good for the public purse; it is also good for ordinary families and businesses.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about funding cost-of-living support through borrowing was not directly addressed.
Congratulating On Marathon
Shifting To Previous [8D [K Previous Government
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
With constituents contacting him frequently about cost-of-living issues, Paul Foster requested assurance from the Chancellor that she would remain focused on these issues despite potential distractions.
Cost of living, cost of living, cost of living—those are the three words that my constituents in South Ribble and the small area of Chorley that I represent contact me about every single week. They do not contact me about the Westminster bubble and process. Will the Chancellor please assure me that she will stay laser-focused on delivering on the cost of living for the constituents of South Ribble and will not allow the noise and disruption from the Opposition to put her off?
I thank my hon. Friend for standing up for the people of South Ribble and the issues that matter to them. Since the general election, there have been six cuts in interest rates, which is the best way to help people with the cost of living, especially if they have a mortgage. Before this conflict began, unemployment was falling, the economy was growing, the deficit was coming down and interest rates had gone down six times. I will continue to focus on the cost of living, because that is the thing that matters most to all our constituents.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address maintaining focus amidst opposition disruption.
Referring To Interest Rate Cuts
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
Referencing international examples of countries reducing fuel duties in response to the conflict, Daisy Cooper challenged the Chancellor's position on cutting UK fuel duty.
Australia, Italy, India and more have all slashed fuel duty in response to Trump's idiotic war in Iran. We Liberal Democrats are calling for fuel duty to be cut by 12p per litre here. Last week, the Chancellor claimed that anyone calling for a cut in fuel duty was “economically illiterate”, because it would push up inflation. According to the Office for Budget Responsibility, the current 5p fuel duty cut has led to a 0.2% reduction in the rate of inflation. Does the Chancellor think that the OBR and all these other countries that are helping their citizens are economically illiterate, or does she accept that her Government might be in the wrong and that it is time to act?
Last time she stood up in the Chamber, the hon. Lady said that she wanted a 10p cut in fuel duty; now it is a 12p cut. What she has failed to explain is how on earth she is going to pay for any of those policies. As a former Chancellor, the right hon. Member for Godalming and Ash (Sir Jeremy Hunt), has just explained, untargeted support will result in higher inflation, higher interest rates and higher taxes, which would hurt people in St Albans and around the country rather than helping them with the cost of living.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address OBR evidence or policy effectiveness.
Challenging Consistency
Referencing Previous Sp [2D [K Speaker
Response accuracy