Back to News
Starmer warns of bigger impact on economy the longer Iran war continues - as it happened
Politics•March 9, 2026 at 3:53 PMNational

Starmer warns of bigger impact on economy the longer Iran war continues - as it happened

By Yohannes Lowe and Tom Ambrose•The Guardian - UK News

The prime minister is facing pressure from unions and some backbenchers to prepare a support package as oil and gas prices threaten to push up inflationAs we mentioned in the opening post, the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has a call with fellow G7 finance ministers this afternoon to discuss surging oil prices and the economic impact of the US-Israeli war with Iran.You can follow all the latest market developments in our business live blog, which is leading on how stock markets are tumbling after the oil price surged over $100 a barrel for the first time in four years:The longer this conflict goes on, the more effect it will have on the cost of oil.Any time Brent Crude passes 100 dollars per barrel raises concern across the markets, for the haulage industry and drivers.Average petrol and diesel prices have rocketed in the last week and are unfortunately likely to keep on rising, so the situation for UK drivers is looking increasingly bleak.Unleaded is almost certainly going to reach an average of 140p in the next week or so, while diesel looks highly likely to climb to at least 160p a litre. We encourage drivers to continue filling up as normal but to shop around for the best prices. Continue reading...

The prime minister is facing pressure from unions and some backbenchers to prepare a support package as oil and gas prices threaten to push up inflation

As we mentioned in the opening post, the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has a call with fellow G7 finance ministers this afternoon to discuss surging oil prices and the economic impact of the US-Israeli war with Iran.

You can follow all the latest market developments in our business live blog, which is leading on how stock markets are tumbling after the oil price surged over $100 a barrel for the first time in four years:

The longer this conflict goes on, the more effect it will have on the cost of oil.

Any time Brent Crude passes 100 dollars per barrel raises concern across the markets, for the haulage industry and drivers.

Average petrol and diesel prices have rocketed in the last week and are unfortunately likely to keep on rising, so the situation for UK drivers is looking increasingly bleak.

Unleaded is almost certainly going to reach an average of 140p in the next week or so, while diesel looks highly likely to climb to at least 160p a litre.
We encourage drivers to continue filling up as normal but to shop around for the best prices.

Continue reading...

Related News

Campaigners welcome Miliband’s claim Palestine Action ban not meant to criminalise ‘grannies’ – UK politics live
UK NewsPolitics

Campaigners welcome Miliband’s claim Palestine Action ban not meant to criminalise ‘grannies’ – UK politics live

Defend Our Juries welcomes ‘honesty’ from foreign secretary and says his remarks will help in its legal challengeBurnham...

The Guardian - UK News43 minutes ago
Andy Burnham expected to say he will push ahead with electoral reform plans
UK NewsPolitics

Andy Burnham expected to say he will push ahead with electoral reform plans

Exclusive: Labour conference speech will kick off process that could replace current system with proportional representa...

The Guardian - UK News1 hour ago
Burnham to signal willingness to look at scrapping pension triple lock to fund social care
UK NewsPolitics

Burnham to signal willingness to look at scrapping pension triple lock to fund social care

PM to tell Labour conference he is prepared to make difficult arguments and have ‘honest conversation’UK politics live –...

The Guardian - UK News2 hours ago
‘We have time to make our case’: Labour insiders are confident Burnham can sell his social care reforms
UK NewsPolitics

‘We have time to make our case’: Labour insiders are confident Burnham can sell his social care reforms

Analysts believe PM has a ‘golden opportunity’ to offer older people better protection in return for weakening the tripl...

The Guardian - UK News5 hours ago
The Papers: 'Labour split on triple lock' and 'Plot's going on, PM?'
Politics

The Papers: 'Labour split on triple lock' and 'Plot's going on, PM?'

A number of the papers preview a speech from Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Tuesday.

BBC News - UK9 hours ago
Burnham promises to roll back privatisation with government-backed grid plan
UK NewsPolitics

Burnham promises to roll back privatisation with government-backed grid plan

Exclusive: Creation of GB Grid will be major step towards putting Britain’s utility companies into public control Andy B...

The Guardian - UK News13 hours ago

More From These Categories

Politics

View All

No other articles in this category yet.