Government stepping up plans for potential shortages caused by Iran war

Ministers are stepping up plans for how to offset potential shortages sparked by the Iran conflict. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping lane that once carried a fifth of global oil and gas, has sent oil prices soaring since the US-Israel war on Iran began. Keir Starmer will chair another meeting of the Cabinet committee set up to deal with the crisis on Tuesday, after the so-called Middle East Response Committee met on the same day last week. A contingency planning group of ministers led by Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones is also meeting twice a week. They are focusing on monitoring stock levels and what plans are in place for addressing supply chain disruption. The public has been urged to fill up petrol and use cars as normal, and not to change travel plans amid fears over potential jet fuel shortages. Mr Jones said: “This is not our war. The Government made the right call to stay out of the conflict and only take defensive action to protect Britain’s interests. We’re acting now to prepare for, and mitigate where possible, the impact on our economy and domestic security as a result of the conflict. “The Prime Minister wants to see a toll-free Strait of Hormuz reopened as soon as possible. The UK is working tirelessly with our international partners to find a permanent solution to this crisis and minimise the knock-on impact to households.” UK airlines have insisted they are “not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel” as they buy it in advance and airports maintain stocks. The Government insists it is “closely monitoring” UK jet fuel stocks and airports will also make it easier for airlines to cancel flights without running the risk of losing their allocated “slots” – scheduled times for take-off or landing which some UK airports assign to airlines – if fuel shortages prevent them from flying. Supermarkets have said they are working with the Government to help plan for a worst-case scenario which could see the ongoing war lead to shortages of carbon dioxide used by food producers.