UK to seek closer EU ties as Iran war looms, Starmer says

The UK will pursue closer economic ties with the European Union in light of the war in Iran, Sir Keir Starmer has said. The prime minister told a news conference he would use a summit with the EU later this year to seek more cooperation with the bloc on the economy and security. It comes as relations between the US and the UK have been increasingly strained by the PM's refusal to be drawn further into the war with Iran. In his speech, Sir Keir warned the conflict would impact the UK but sought to reassure the public the government was taking action to ease the cost of living. The PM is facing calls from opposition parties to set out now how the government plans to protect people from rising energy costs. The Conservatives and Reform UK are both calling for VAT to be taken off household energy bills, while arguing the hike in fuel duty scheduled for September should be cancelled. The Liberal Democrats are also calling for the increase not to go ahead, while the Greens say the government should commit billions of pounds now to subsidise energy bills from July, when the price cap is recalculated. Plaid Cymru said the government should set out now what support would be available if energy bills rise, while the SNP argues Holyrood should control energy policy. Sir Keir said: "No matter how fierce this storm we are well-placed to weather it and we have a long-term plan to emerge from it a stronger and more secure nation." He highlighted a number of measures coming into force from this month aimed at easing the cost of living, including removing some green levies from energy bills and increasing the national living wage. The OECD has warned the UK is facing the biggest hit to economic growth from the war out of major economies, underscoring the urgency of a diversified approach to diplomacy and energy policy.

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