Prime Minister Keir Starmer has written exclusively for the Mirror, outlining his government's plans to ease the burden on struggling households as Chancellor Rachel Reeves prepares to announce a raft of cost-of-living measures.
Standing by working people
In his article, Starmer emphasises that while Britain did not attack Iran and will never be dragged into unnecessary conflicts, the global impact of the Strait of Hormuz disruptions is being felt at home. Fuel prices, which were near a five-year low before the war, are now approaching £1.60 per litre for unleaded petrol.
Starmer acknowledges the anxiety this causes for working people, noting that for decades Britain has been hit by crises—Brexit, Covid, the Ukraine war—under the Tories, with working people always bearing the cost. He vows that this time will be different, with his government taking long-term decisions to strengthen energy security, public finances, and national defence.
Concrete measures announced
The Prime Minister highlights previous actions since 2024, including cutting energy bills, raising the national living wage, ending the two-child benefit cap, freezing prescription charges and train fares, and strengthening workers' rights. Now, the government is extending the 5p fuel duty cut until the end of the year, putting more money in drivers' pockets.
Additionally, every haulier will receive a year-long road tax holiday, saving £913 per vehicle, and duty on farmers' red diesel will be slashed to the lowest rate in over 20 years. Starmer also announces free bus travel for children across England throughout August to help parents.
Starmer concludes: 'Times like this are a test. Throughout the years of crisis the Tories always made working people pay. In contrast, this Government will always stand by them. And we will build a stronger, fairer Britain in their interests.'
