Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer leaves 10 Downing Street to attend the weekly Prime Ministers' Questions session in parliament in London, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Keir Starmer will promise to support working people “whatever challenges lie ahead” amid rising economic pressure from the Iran war. The government is facing pressure to step up and offer financial support to the general public while Donald Trump’s conflict with the Middle East continues to strain global oil supplies and rock international markets. There are widespread fears that energy bills could skyrocket later in the year, affecting Britons’ cost of living. “It’s moments like this that tell you what a government is about,” the prime minister is expected to say in a press conference on Monday. “My answer is clear. Whatever challenges lie ahead, this government will always support working people. “That is my first instinct – my first priority – to help you with the cost of living through this crisis.” He will outline plans to help the public using heating oil to warm their homes. The PM is expected to address concerns that suppliers are cancelling orders and increasing prices, too. He is expected to say: “I will not tolerate companies trying to exploit this crisis to make money from working people. “…if the companies have broken the law, there will be legal action.” The government has also promised to work with international allies to try and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, as Iran continues to block the major oil shipping lane. The prime minister will say: “We will continue to work towards a swift resolution of the situation in the Middle East. “Because there is no question that ending the war is the quickest way to reduce the cost of living.” US president Donald Trump asked Britain and other allies to send warships to keep Hormuz open on Saturday. The request was an unexpected U-turn from the president , who just last week claimed Starmer was “trying to join wars after we’re already won”. He also claimed “we don’t need” British aircraft carriers in the region. In response to Trump’s latest request, a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: “As we’ve said previously, we are currently discussing with our allies and partners a range of options to ensure the security of shipping in the region.” On Sunday, energy secretary Ed Miliband was unable to say what the government thinks Trump’s war aims in the Middle East are. He also distanced the UK from Trump’s decision to ease sanctions on Russia in a bid to help the global oil trade. “We’ve not lifted our sanctions against Russia because it is very, very important that we continue to show solidarity with the Ukrainian people,” Miliband said. “This was an illegal invasion launched more than four years ago. Our solidarity with the Ukrainian people has been incredibly important throughout these four years.” Related... Could Labour Step In To Help Energy Bills If They Start To Climb? No.10 Admits Starmer Did Not Speak Directly To Mandelson Before Appointing Him As US Ambassador Kay Burley Outlines 1 Clear Reason Starmer Should Not Resign Over The Mandelson Scandal