The War that’s Fueling Our Cost of Living Crisis

The recent call from 10 UK trade unions for Prime Minister Andy Burnham to revoke permission for US airstrikes on Iran highlights the deeper roots of the cost of living crisis. The war in the Middle East has had a devastating impact on global oil and gas prices, significantly contributing to the rise in energy bills faced by British households.

The crisis isn’t new, but its escalation over recent weeks has brought it back into focus. The average British household has seen its annual energy bill rise by £221 since the war started, while monthly food bills are forecast to increase by £32.80. The unions claim that without an end to the war, there will be no end to this cost of living crisis – a stark warning that our government’s efforts to tackle it won’t bear fruit unless they address its root cause.

The UK’s role in this conflict is contentious, particularly through continued permission for US airstrikes from bases on British territory. The unions are right to point out the hypocrisy in Burnham’s stance: while he claims to be focused on making life more affordable for Britons, his government enables a war that makes life exponentially more expensive.

The UK has long prided itself on its commitment to international law and human rights. By allowing US airstrikes from our territory, we are complicit in a conflict that has already led to significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction. This raises serious questions about the government’s moral leadership on this issue.

Leading economists point out that big oil companies have made huge profits from the squeeze on supply after the closure of shipping lanes in the Gulf. These corporations profit directly at the expense of ordinary people, exacerbating the cost of living crisis faced by our members and the British public.

Burnham’s government is right to claim that tackling the cost of living crisis is its top priority. However, until we address the root cause – the devastating war in the Middle East – any efforts to improve living standards will be futile. Revoking permission for US airstrikes from our territory would send a powerful signal that we are committed to de-escalation and willing to take concrete steps towards ending this catastrophe.

The impact of this war on global oil prices has far-reaching consequences, affecting economies around the world and exacerbating existing social inequalities. As such, it’s imperative that we take a more proactive role in pushing for a lasting ceasefire in Iran.

In his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stated that finding a lasting ceasefire is their top priority. However, action speaks louder than words: until the UK takes concrete steps to revoke permission for US airstrikes and push for de-escalation, we risk being complicit in war crimes and perpetuating an economic disaster.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Our cost of living crisis has a direct link to the devastating conflict unfolding in the Middle East. It’s time for our government to act with courage and conviction, not just rhetoric, and address the root cause of this problem once and for all.