Sir Keir Starmer has said that he is “fed up” with households and businesses seeing their energy bills rise because of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin
The prime minister told Robert Peston that Britain needs greater “energy independence” to reduce its exposure to the international markets
I’m fed up with the fact that families across the country see their bills go up and down on energy, businesses’ bills go up and down on energy because of the actions of Putin or Trump across the world and saying to families across the country, saying to businesses across the country: ‘We’ve just got to be, we’ve got to put up with being on the international market.’
“We need energy independence, and the only way to get energy independence is to go even more quickly to renewables because we’re not going to get it on the international market.”
In the interview Starmer also said that Israeli airstrikes against Lebanon are ‘wrong’ and should not be happening
“Let me be really clear about it. They’re wrong and they shouldn’t be happening. That’s my strong view. The question isn’t a technical one of whether it’s a breach of the agreement [the ceasefire] or not. [It is] actually a matter of principles as far as I’m concerned.”
Meanwhile Starmer has spoken to Donald Trump for the first time since the Iran ceasefire overnight
No 10 said:
“The Prime Minister set out his discussions with Gulf leaders and military planners in the region on the need to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the UK’s efforts to convene partners to agree a viable plan.
“They agreed that now there is a ceasefire in place and agreement to open the Strait, we are at the next stage of finding a resolution.
“The leaders discussed the need for a practical plan to get shipping moving again as quickly as possible. They agreed to speak again soon”
