Expert said prices are soaring now and he told energy customers to switch off price cap to fixed tariffs immediately

Martin Lewis has urged customers of energy firms including E.On, British Gas, OVO and Octopus to switch their tariffs ‘right now’. The money-saving guru issued the warning as gas and oil prices rocketed amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Oil prices have climbed further as the Middle East conflict entered its fourth day, triggering stock market falls across the UK and Europe on concerns about a protracted war. Gas prices on Monday also jumped at their fastest rate since the Ukraine war began, surging 52% after Qatar suspended liquified natural gas production following Iranian attacks, with a further 20% rise on Tuesday.

Fears are growing over steep increases in petrol costs and household energy bills, which could hit UK families hard in the months ahead.

Writing on X, Mr Lewis warned: “Important: If you can get off the Energy Price Cap right now, you should and urgently!”

“The wholesale gas rate is spiking due to the Iran conflict, and it is a prime driver or UK elec prices. If that’s sustained (big if), it will likely push the Price Cap rate up from July

“- Some of the cheap fixes from before the weekend haven’t (yet) been pulled, so you can still lock in a rate at around 14% less than the current Price Cap, both saving you money and giving peace of mind that the rate can’t rise. You can do a whole-of-market comparison via http://cheapenergyclub.com

“- However, many firms are reassessing their fix prices today and may reprice their deals upward. There’s a risk many of the current cheapest fixes will be gone by this time tomorrow””- Plus, fix now, and unprecedentedly the rate you lock in at will be reduced on 1 April. This is because govt is changing the underlying way energy bills work and moving some policy costs to general taxation. That reduces the elec and gas unit rates even for those already on fixes. So even if you fix now the amount you pay will drop by 7% to 9% on typical usage on 1 April.

“- Fixes are available for most payment methods except prepay. Those on smart prepay can look at the EDF Simply Tracker tariff, which is effectively a price cap tariff with £100 lower Standing Charges (and £70 extra cashback on top via the link above)””PS How to know if you’re on a Price Cap? The Price Cap only applies to firms’ Standard Variable tariffs. It’s the default tariff you’re on if you haven’t chosen another deal, or your deal (eg a fix) ended and you did nothing. If you’re fixed, on an EV tariff, a time of use tariff, or other specialist tariff, you are not on the Price Cap.”

Meanwhile, Brent crude climbed a further 4% on Tuesday, reaching a 12-month peak of almost 81 US dollars per barrel following Iran’s move to obstruct a vital shipping channel for oil tankers, whilst London’s FTSE 100 Index tumbled sharply, dropping over 2% during morning trade. An Iranian official has reportedly issued warnings to vessels in the Strait of Hormuz that no ships would be permitted passage, forming part of Tehran’s retaliation to a US and Israeli military offensive against Iran, which has persisted following an initial attack that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday.

Oil prices surged by as much as 13% during Monday trading, climbing above 82 dollars per barrel, before retreating slightly. Across financial markets, the FTSE 100 plunged 2.2% or 240.2 points to 10539.9, following a 1.2% fall on Monday, with comparable drops throughout Europe as Germany’s Dax shed 3% and France’s Cac 40 declined 1.8% on Tuesday.

This follows US President Donald Trump’s caution that military action against Iran might extend “far longer” than the originally anticipated four-to-five-week period. Aviation shares faced continued battering due to flight cancellations stemming from the crisis, whilst banking stocks also weakened amid concerns about wider economic consequences.

Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at the Wealth Club, commented: “Downbeat sentiment is pervading equity markets as the conflict in the Middle East escalates, with global repercussions. “London’s FTSE 100 has fallen deeper into the red as the war widens and companies assess the impact of severe disruption across the region on their operations. “

Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor, suggested the slowdown in oil price increases indicates “a more sanguine approach to the implications of the US/Iran situation”. “Oil price spikes usually follow conflict outbreaks, but the fact remains that escalation and duration is more of a concern than the immediate outlook,” he said.

Tehran’s warnings regarding the Strait of Hormuz have raised concerns that oil prices will keep climbing steeply, given the waterway handles roughly a fifth of global oil supplies and seaborne gas transported by tankers.Gas prices on Monday also jumped at their fastest rate since the Ukraine war began, surging 52% after Qatar suspended liquified natural gas production following Iranian attacks, and climbed a further 20% on Tuesday.

Worries have intensified over sharp increases in petrol costs and household energy bills, which could hit UK families hard in the months ahead. The effect on fuel prices has already been severe, with the Strait of Hormuz blockage pushing the cost of chartering an oil supertanker to transport crude from the Middle East to China to a record high of nearly £300,000 on Monday.Ms Streeter said: “The resilience of global shipping is once again being tested and, as the crisis widens, more carriers are halting transits through the Red Sea.

“”This will add significant time and cost to journeys, risking further snarls in supply chains. “.

Get Funded, part of the Mayor’s Business Innovation Fund and backed by £200,000 in funding, launched today (Tue) and will run for the next two years until December 2027.

The programme offers small and medium businesses practical support to help them understand their funding options, strengthen financial planning and prepare competitive applications for grants, loans or investment.

It is open to businesses based in York and North Yorkshire looking to grow, whether it’s scaling capacity, expanding operations, or improving their chances of external funding.

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David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: “We’re home to incredible businesses with great ideas, but they need more than that to grow, they need investment.

“So we’re backing business by giving them the tools they need, taking a big step forward in my mission to back ambition and make this region the best place to start and grow a business.

“Get Funded is about breaking down one of the biggest barriers that holds back too many of our small and medium businesses back.”

The Get Funded programme begins with a short introductory webinar and continues through a structured series of specialist workshops.

In addition, 24 businesses will be selected for in-depth one-to-one coaching to accelerate their investment readiness.

York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority has appointed business finance and advice company UMi to run the programme.

Nicki Clark, Chief Executive at UMi, said: “We are excited to be working with the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority to bring the Get Funded Programme to the region, improving access to finance and the opportunities that presents to local businesses.

“UMi has a strong track-record of working within the funding ecosystem, and with our extensive experience in grant delivery and investor readiness, we believe this is a fantastic opportunity to help businesses overcome financial barriers and receive the specialist support they need to grow.”

Small and medium businesses across the region are encouraged to register early to secure their place.

The Business Innovation Fund is made up of five programmes, supporting Sector Activity, Spin-Out and Start-Ups, Get Exporting and Great Ideas. Get Funded is the final of the programmes to launch.

To register, go to: Get Funded > York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority

The facilities at Seaton Carew, located next to Sandy Car Park, were targeted overnight on Friday, February 27.

A hammer is believed to have been used to smash the card reader units on each door, although the vandals did not gain access to the toilets themselves.

A hammer is believed to have been used to smash the card reader units on each door. (Image: Hartlepool Borough Council)

The Seaton Carew toilet block was opened by Hartlepool Borough Council in 2024 as a replacement for outdated facilities at the nearby Clock Tower.

Councillor Owen Riddle, Chair of the Council’s Neighbourhoods and Regulatory Services Committee, said: “The toilets are a cashless facility so there is no money on site.

“I can’t believe that people would stoop so low as to damage valuable public facilities in such a mindless way.

“I would ask anyone who witnessed the vandalism or who noticed anyone acting suspiciously in the area on Friday night/Saturday morning to contact Cleveland Police on 101.

“We will strive to get repairs carried out as quickly as possible, but it is inevitable that the toilets will be closed for a period of time.”

The damaged card readers will need to be removed and repaired off-site before being reinstalled, meaning the toilets will remain out of use for several weeks.

The risk of further vandalism makes it unsafe to leave the facility unlocked during repairs.

The new single-storey building includes nine standard unisex cubicles, two accessible cubicles, and a Changing Places unit that caters for people with significant disabilities.

The Changing Places unit, which operates with a Radar key instead of a card reader, remains open.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area around the time of the incident is urged to contact Cleveland Police on 101.

Since 2020, Osman has written his cosy crime series of novels, publishing its latest edition The Impossible Fortune in September last year, having released The Thursday Murder Club (2020), The Man Who Died Twice (2021), The Bullet That Missed (2022), and The Last Devil To Die (2023).

In a letter seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Labour councillor Lawrence Fitzpatrick branded the First Minister’s comments “disingenuous and deeply unfair.”

West Lothian Council’s leader has called on Scotland’s First Minister to apologise for his remarks on budget decisions made in Livingston last week.

John Swinney told the parliament that the council was not “ following statutory guidance” on nursery places.

In a letter seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Labour councillor Lawrence Fitzpatrick branded the First Minister’s comments “disingenuous and deeply unfair.”

In his letter to Mr Swinney, Councillor Fitzpatrick said: “I was perplexed and extremely disappointed to listen to you tell the Scottish Parliament last week that West Lothian Council is ‘not following the statutory guidance in place’ in relation to West Lothian Council and cross boundary nursery funding.

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“I would request that you issue an apology to both this Administration and our council officers at the earliest opportunity.”

Councillor Fitzpatrick, who leads the minority Labour- led administration, pointed out that SNP members of the council did not oppose proposed changes to cross-boundary funding arrangements in its own budget proposals. He added that Edinburgh’s council has pursued a similar policy.

In his letter the council leader said: “Scottish Government officials confirmed to the council (26/2/26) ‘We appreciate that there are no statutory duties on cross-boundary provision and statutory guidance notes that delivery to cross-boundary children should be provided on the same basis as local residents, where possible.’”

“Yet, you, the First Minister of Scotland, (26/2/26) misleadingly told the Scottish Parliament that: ‘Statutory Guidance is clear that families accessing cross boundary placements should be treated on the same basis as families accessing provision locally, so West Lothian Council is proceeding, a Labour- led Council is proceeding, to not follow the statutory guidance in place.’”

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Councillor Fitzpatrick added: “The context to our change is, of course, the continued insufficient level of funding provided to this council by your Government. Councils the length and breadth of Scotland – including SNP councils – face extremely difficult decisions, as we do here in West Lothian.

“I therefore believe your comments relating to our funding and our ability to deliver local services are disingenuous and deeply unfair.

“With the ongoing financial challenges faced by the council, this recent decision was based on the need to prioritise West Lothian Council resources for West Lothian’s children and families.

“Rest assured, our officers are fully committed to supporting any transition arrangements should families consider a move to one of our council establishments.

“I would ask that you issue an apology to West Lothian Council at the earliest opportunity.”

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A spokesperson for the First Minister told the LDRS: “The First Minister will respond to Mr Fitzpatrick’s letter in due course.

“The First Minister is very clear that he expects all councils to deliver the 1140 hours expansion policy and ensure that families receive the support they are entitled to. It is concerning to see decisions being taken locally that could reduce flexibility and choice.

“While the statutory guidance recognises that there may be some instances where local authorities judge that a cross-border placement is not possible, the guidance is clear that the principles of Funding Follows the Child should be followed to accommodate such requests in the best interests of affected children and families.

“Families and nursery providers have raised significant concerns about West Lothian Council’s approach with Scottish Ministers, and it is important for Ministers to directly represent the strength of those concerns.”

READ MORE: Nurseries challenge West Lothian Council’s budget decision

Don’t miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here.

Rio Ferdinand has been left ‘frightened’ by the ongoing Iranian missile strikes targeting Dubai.

On Saturday missiles started raining down on the city in the United Arab Emirates, which came after Iran vowed to escalate retaliation for the killing of its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Iran has long threatened to drag the region into total war if attacked, making good on that promise in response to the USA starting ‘major combat operations’ to destroy Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities.

Soon after Dubai began being targeted, many of its four million residents began sharing updates of what was unfolding on social media – including Rio’s wife Kate, who said they were ‘safe’ despite having to have a ‘sleepover’ in their basement.

A few days on, Manchester United legend Rio has now given an insight into what life in Dubai looks like right now.

Last year the retired footballer, 47, moved to the Middle East with his wife Kate, 34, and their children, Shae, two, Cree, five, as well as Rio’s daughter Tia, 14.

During the latest episode of his football podcast, Rio Ferdinand Presents, he opened by admitting it had been a ‘bit of a different week’.

‘Firstly, I’m in great condition this morning as the whole family did a workout. A bit like in Covid, the whole family is doing things we wouldn’t usually be doing together,’ he explained.

‘Home-schooling a bit today. It’s frightening when you hear missiles, planes and fighter jets – I don’t know what it is – going above us, and you’re hearing big bombs, and what that is we don’t know as we don’t know the details of what they are.

‘It’s telling your kids what it is and helping them navigate through this moment, which is important especially as the dad of the house. You want to try and remain calm and keep everybody as calm as possible.

‘I’ve got to be honest guys; it’s been a bit of a scary situation but at the same time weirdly enough I’ve felt very secure and looked after. My studio has become my bunker.’

He went on to share: ‘We were advised to go into the basement on the first night of all the noise started and we were down here sleeping with duvets and stuff. We are utilising the space wisely.’

His comments come after Kate shared a series of updates on social media over the weekend, which came after what she described as a ‘very scary night’.

Taking to her Instagram Story, Kate apologised for her initial silence on the matter, thanking fans for their concerned messages.

‘I just haven’t been able to find the words. We are safe,’ she began.

‘The government are doing an amazing job of keeping it that way and despite my nerves I feel we are in very safe hands.

‘We are hoping for a calmer evening tonight, last night was very scary.’

She added that ‘Cree and Shae loved it as they couldn’t believe we all got a sleepover in the basement’.

‘Thank you for all of your prayers, this whole experience is very eye opening & I am praying for anyone affected,’ she concluded.

Rio’s sons with late wife Rebecca, Lorenz, 19, and Tate, 17, did not relocate with the family when they moved to Dubai last year due to their budding football careers back home in the UK.

But Kate – who rose to fame appearing on The Only Way is Essex – previously admitted she was finding it difficult returning to Dubai after spending Christmas back in London.

‘I feel like we’ve opened our eyes to a different world. But I love London, I love the UK. I love so many things about the UK. I do feel happy in Dubai, but I’m just missing a part of me,’ she said on her Blended podcast.

‘I think it’s an amazing place to live, I think it’s amazing for the children. The children are thriving and happy and living a life of just outside freedom.

‘Rio loves it so much. I am enjoying it, but I miss home quite a lot. I get upset. I miss the big boys a lot and I’m just struggling with that.’

However, she added: ‘I know this decision is right for my younger children and as a family we are settled there, but the boys are following their football careers. So, they’re doing what they want to do otherwise they’d be with us. But it’s very hard because we’ve been through so much as a family and we’ve always been together and that’s a huge adjustment.’

But speaking on LBC Radio in November, Rio revealed that the move has allowed him to spend more time with family, which he said had been a ‘great thing’.

‘I love England and I’m a patriotic guy in that sense, but a new journey, a new chapter, something different, I think is a refreshing new chapter in my life,’ he explained.

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When revealing their overseas move publicly, Rio and Kate shared: ‘We’ve talked about this for so long, and now it’s finally real… we’re here, we are making a new home in the place we met!’

‘Missing some of our specials already & a bit scared, excited & nervous – but more than anything, ready for fresh starts and new beginnings.’

They have since moved to a £6.5million mansion in the luxurious gated community of Al Barari.

Since the initial strikes, UK flights to the Middle East have been cancelled, while airports in Dubai and Doha have halted all services until further notice.

On Saturday, the UK Foreign Office warned Brits in Dubai that they should ‘immediately shelter in place’.

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Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also said in a joint statement with the leaders of France and Germany that Iran must ‘refrain from indiscriminate military strikes’.

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