BBC Host Accuses Minister Of Patronising Response To Energy Fears

A BBC presenter has suggested a minister was “patronising” the general public by downplaying concerns around energy prices.

The Iranians continue to limit the number of oil tankers which can travel through the Strait of Hormuz, a major shipping lane, in retaliation to the US-Israeli strikes.

This has caused wholesale energy prices to climb, meaning fuel is becoming more expensive.

Household energy bills are not yet increasing in line with the crisis in the Middle East but are expected to go up later in the year as a result.

The energy price cap, which was announced by Ofgem before the Iran war began, will see costs fall between April and the end of June – but that will change again in July.

However, the chief secretary to the Treasury James Murray told the BBC the public should remain calm for now.

Asked if it was time for the government to encourage the public to engage in personal rationing, the minister said: “No, I think people should go about their lives as normal, knowing the government is taking action to bring energy bills down.

“I think a lot of people will be seeing the news from the Middle East, will see the instability and uncertainty and might be worried about what is going to happen to energy bills in the months ahead.”

He pointed out that the energy price cap will be in place for the next three months, which gives the government time to make “contingency plans” – though he did not disclose exactly what that might mean.

But Radio 4 Today presenter Justin Webb said: “Isn’t it a bit patronising to say to people, no don’t worry, carry on, we’ll sort all of this out?

“They can see perfectly well, can’t they, that this is a real proper crisis and there will have to be things done which are painful.

“It will make us poorer. It’s reasonable, isn’t it, for them to ask you to be straight with them about it?”

“I think we’re being straight is saying we honestly don’t know how long this conflict is going to go on,” Murray replied.

Webb asked: “Are you saying it is possible then, if for some reason it ends tomorrow – which doesn’t seem at all likely – that we just go back to normal?”

Murray admitted: “I think it’s clear that what is happening in the Middle East now will have an impact on our economy. It’s already having an impact on prices of energy and fuel.”

When Webb pointed out that economists have already warned the government may not be able to afford offering support for household energy bills, Murray said: “What I think is certainly true is we need to learn the lessons from past interventions.”

The government is widely expected to unveil targeted help for the households most in need later this year, rather than the universal support announced by the Tories during the previous cost of living crisis.

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