Government responds to pressing demand to chop vitality use as a result of Iran disaster

Drivers should continue to fill up as normal despite a global watchdog urging people to reduce fuel consumption, No10 has said.

The Government has urged Brits to “go about their days as normal” despite fears of rocketing bills due to the war in the Middle East. It comes after the International Energy Agency (IEA) advised governments to reduce speed limits, encourage people to carpool and ideally work from home.

The IEA urged people to take “immediate actions to reduce demand”. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “So this is the IEA’s general advice for countries across the world. It is not in place in the UK.

“We have a diverse and resilient supply. People in the UK should continue to go about their days in normal fashion. Both the air and fuels industry in the UK have been clear. Drivers should fill up as normal with fuel production and imports continuing across the UK as usual with no issues reported.”

Pressed on whether the Government is drawing up plans for emergency intervention to help Brits with the cost of living, the PM’s spokesman said: “It’s far too early to say what sort of response is needed, but we’re monitoring the situation. The priority for the Government and the Prime Minister is to work with international partners to de-escalate the situation in the Middle East, because that is the best way to reduce the impact of this war on the cost of living at home.”

Earlier Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds told Times Radio that Britons should not be tightening their belts. She said: “I think it’s too early. I want to reassure people that, you know, we are as a government taking calm headed leadership on this issue. We are working with partners to de-escalate this conflict. We need to see how obviously this plays out.”

European wholesale gas prices have doubled since the Middle East conflict erupted. They rocketed by 35% on Thursday after a fresh series of tit-for-tat attacks on energy facilities in the region.

Tehran struck neighbouring Qatar’s Ras Laffan plant – the world’s largest liquefied natural gas export hub – in retaliation for Israel’s attacks on its South Pars gas field. US President Donald Trump responded by threatening to “massively blow up” Iran’s major gas field if the regime carried out further such attacks.

EDF, the UK’s biggest power producer, warned earlier this week that energy bills will be more than £300 higher for at least the next year.