Use Iran ceasefire to offer cost-of-living support, Flynn tells Starmer

The SNP has urged Sir Keir Starmer to offer more support with the cost of living after a ceasefire deal was negotiated in Iran.

US President Donald Trump announced early on Wednesday morning he was suspending a proposed extension of the offensive in Iran to include attacks on bridges and power stations for two weeks after Tehran proposed a “workable” plan for a ceasefire, subject to the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.

But speaking just hours after the announcement of the of the ceasefire, SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said the chance should be taken by the UK Government to tackle the energy implications stemming from the war.

The attacks by the US and Israel, along with the Iranian reprisals against fellow Gulf states and the effective closure of the Strait sent energy prices soaring.

“The news of a ceasefire deal is a relief for the whole world but the consequences of the war in the Middle East will be long lasting whatever happens next,” Mr Flynn said.

“Keir Starmer must use the window of opportunity provided by the Iran ceasefire deal to help families with rising fuel and energy costs – and avoid worsening the UK’s cost-of-living crisis.

“Prices are already sky-high under Starmer and continuing to do nothing is not an option.

“The Labour government must act now to avoid another cost-of-living spike, which will hammer families across the UK in the months ahead with energy bills, food prices, mortgage rates and inflation all expected to rise.”

Downing Street pointed to changes which came into force last week as proof of action being taken to quell the increase in the cost of living, including the increase to the living wage and minimum wage and the drop in the energy price cap by 7%.

Speaking at Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar welcomed news of a ceasefire in the Middle East.

He told the Press Association: “And unlike John Swinney, I won’t just point to somewhere else or a government somewhere else and say it’s for them.

“If I’m leading a government in Scotland, my government will take action.”

He said Labour would be setting out its plans on the issue in the coming days.

Earlier, Mr Sarwar was asked about the energy profits levy on the oil and gas industry, which is known as the windfall tax.

Speaking to journalists, he said the war in the Middle East had caused energy prices to spike, reactivating windfall profits.

He said: “In that context, it’s right to say: let’s get an immediate end to this war, let’s get stability back into the energy markets, let’s drive down prices, and let’s look at the EPL.”

He said Mr Swinney’s call for the levy to be scrapped showed the First Minister was “not serious”.

The UK Government should seek a “more balanced” approach when the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz returns and prices come down, Mr Sarwar said.