00:00We're also continuing our diplomatic response. The Foreign Secretary has been in the region
00:05in recent days. I'm in close contact with leaders from across the Gulf and Europe and beyond.
00:12I met Prime Minister Carney earlier this morning and I'll be meeting President Zelensky
00:18soon because it's vital that we continue to focus on supporting Ukraine.
00:28When the fighting stops, we are going to need some sort of negotiated agreement to constrain the
00:36threat posed by Iran, to limit their ability to rebuild their nuclear program, to pose a ballistic
00:44missile threat and arm their proxy militias and limit the threat that they can pose to international
00:51shipping, which is hitting global supplies of oil, of gas and fertilizer, which is pushing up prices
01:00here at home. Now, we've already acted alongside other countries to release emergency oil stocks
01:08at a level that is completely unprecedented. But ultimately, we have to reopen the Strait of Hormuz
01:18to ensure stability in the market. That is not a simple task.
01:26So we're working with all of our allies, including our European partners,
01:31partners to bring together a viable collective plan that can restore freedom of navigation in the region
01:39as quickly as possible.
01:43First, we have capped energy bills until the end of June, saving the average household ÂŁ117.
01:55Now, that's in addition to the warm homes discount of ÂŁ150 for the most vulnerable in society.
02:04No matter what happens now in energy markets, in three weeks' time, your energy bills will be cut
02:13and then capped for the next three months.
02:17And I can announce today that we're giving a legal direction to the energy companies to ensure that every
02:25penny of the savings that we delivered through last year's budget is passed directly onto customers.
02:34We will continue to work towards a swift resolution of the situation in the Middle East,
02:40because there is no question ending the war is the quickest way to reduce the cost of living.
02:52Whether to commit British troops to military action is the most serious responsibility for any Prime Minister.
03:02I have been attacked by some for my decision not to join the offensive against Iran.
03:11But at every stage, I've stood by my principles.
03:15Principles which I held just as strongly when it came to debate about the Iraq War in 2003.
03:23Principles which I believe are shared by the British people.
03:28That our decision should be based on a calm, level-headed assessment of the British national interest.
03:38And that if we are to send our servicemen and women into harm's way,
03:44the very least they deserve is to know that they do so on a legal basis and with a proper
03:53thought-through plan.
03:57The Strait of Hormuz is then a separate discussion, and it is a discussion.
04:03We're not at a point of decisions yet, and I want to really stress that.
04:07It is obviously a difficult question that goes without saying in relation to how you safeguard
04:14maritime traffic through the Straits. Everybody knows the geography and the risks.
04:20But we are working and discussing that with the US, with Gulf partners and with the Europeans.
04:26And I discussed that yesterday with President Trump in the way we often discuss things.
04:32So that's where we're at on that.
04:34There are no decisions having been made. It will have to be something which is agreed
04:39by as many partners as possible, is my strong view.
04:42And we're not at that stage yet, but we are working hard.
04:45I discussed it with President Trump yesterday in the way that you would expect between two allies
04:51and two leaders. And as soon as there's more to report, I will make sure that you have that.
04:57I know people are urging me, what are you going to do after September?
05:00But that is six months away. There's obviously a lot of change that could happen in that period.
05:07And we need to keep the situation under review, and we will keep the situation under review.
05:12In relation to the supply of energy, obviously, we're taking all necessary measures to make sure
05:20there is the right supply of energy. It's really important that we do so. And it will always be a
05:25mix
05:25of oil and gas and renewables. Firstly, we are working with others to come up with a credible plan
05:34for the Straits of Hormuz to ensure that we can reopen shipping and passage through the strait.
05:43Let me be clear, that won't be, and it's never been envisioned to be, a NATO mission.
05:48That will have to be an alliance of partners, which is why we're working with partners both in Europe,
05:54in the Gulf, and with the US.
05:57No, it didn'tĐ”ŃŃ.
05:57KYLE F Rawr
05:58Yeah, that's why we did that.
05:58Oh, look.
Comments