UK consumers face higher prices for food and fuel for at least eight months after the war in Iran ends, a minister has warned. Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, said the conflict would continue to raise costs for energy, food, and flights as supply chain disruptions linger.
Impact of Hormuz Strait Closure
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane carrying a fifth of global oil and gas, has sent oil prices soaring since US and Israeli attacks on Iran began in February. Jones told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme: “You’re going to see prices go up a bit as a consequence of what Donald Trump has done in the Middle East. That’s probably going to come online not just in the next few weeks, but the next few months. There’s going to be a long tail from this.”
Duration of Higher Prices
Asked how long elevated prices might persist, Jones suggested around eight months after the Strait of Hormuz is unblocked and de-escalation occurs. “I think our best guess is eight-plus months from the point of resolution that you’ll see economic impacts coming through the system,” he said.
Government Response
Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension of the US ceasefire with Iran last week, pausing most fighting, but further peace efforts stalled after the US president told envoys not to travel to Pakistan for talks. The UK government is stepping up planning to offset the impact, focusing on monitoring stock levels and addressing supply chain disruptions. Jones said: “The government here in the UK, the work that I’m doing with the prime minister is looking at all of those things and saying, ‘What can we do within our power to help people to get through those difficult times?’”
CO2 and Beer Supplies
The government is also securing stocks of carbon dioxide, used in food production, breweries, defence, and medical applications like MRI scanning. Jones said he was ensuring adequate beer supply for fans watching the men’s football World Cup starting 11 June. “I raised this issue because if there is a problem with jet fuel on holidays and carbon dioxide on beer, the summer might be pretty depressing for people, but we’re doing everything we can to make sure that it’s not the case,” he added.
Political Reactions
The Liberal Democrats have called for a bill in the next king’s speech in May to prioritise food security on the government’s agenda.
