We will intervene on energy bills if necessary, says Miliband

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has said "if it's necessary to intervene, we will" if people's energy costs surge due to the US-Israel war in Iran.

“- Published Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has said "if it's necessary to intervene, we will" if people's energy costs surge due to the US-Israel war in Iran”

BBC

Speaking the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Miliband left the door open to interventions on fuel duty and energy bills if the impact of the Gulf crisis demands it.

BBC

"We're going to stand by people in this crisis," he said, adding the government was "preparing for all eventualities".

Oil and gas prices have surged due to the US-Israel war in Iran and, with no clear indication of how long conflict will continue, economists have warned about the possible impact on the global economy and cost of living.

"UK 'a price taker, not a price maker'"

Most people with gas and electric powered heating will still see their energy prices fall for the next three months, following a shake-up of government charges, so any impact of the war will be delayed until the autumn - but bills could rise at that point.

BBC

"Obviously we are preparing for every eventuality," said Miliband, acknowledging that people were struggling before the Gulf crisis and "cost of living is people's number one priority".

Speaking on the same programme, shadow energy security secretary Claire Coutinho called on the government to "implement my cheap power plan" to reduce bills immediately.

“- Published Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has said "if it's necessary to intervene, we will" if people's energy costs surge due to the US-Israel war in Iran”

BBC

The Conservative MP said the "first port of call should be to reduce costs" to people's energy bills, "before we go to the taxpayer again", and said renewables policies championed by successive Tory prime ministers should now be abandoned.

She said the Conservative Party "reserves the right" to call for direct government intervention, such as the subsidised system on energy bills in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine implemented by Liz Truss.