Fylde MP slams government’s ‘slow and limited’ response over fuel crisis

The hike in oil prices caused by the war in Iran has forced the Government to address the crisis, but a Fylde coast MP says its response is “too slow and limited” to be effective.

Keir Starmer’s Labour Government is looking to ease the pain through a combination of financial support for vulnerable households, regulatory intervention on prices, and long-term energy security initiatives.

The Government is urging fuel users not to panic buy, while offering a £50 million-plus support package to help low-income households struggling with surging kerosene (heating oil) and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) prices.

It has also set up a mandatory “Fuel Finder” scheme requiring all petrol stations to report live price changes within 30 minutes, allowing consumers to use apps to find the cheapest fuel, saving an estimated £40 per household.

It is putting in place a raft of other measures but Andrew Snowden, Conservative MP for Fylde, says more could be done.

He said: “We don’t want excuses, we want action. The spike in oil prices following the war in Iran is already feeding through to higher prices at the pump. For many, that means real strain just getting to work or running a business, and the Government’s response so far has been too slow and too limited.

“We should be looking seriously at reducing the tax burden on energy bills and getting Britain producing more of its own oil and gas again. That’s about energy security, but it’s also about protecting jobs, supporting local economies, and easing the pressure on families.

“The Conservatives put forward a simple, practical step to extend fuel duty relief and give motorists some breathing space, but Labour chose to vote it down.

“That decision will hit households directly in their pockets. At a time of global uncertainty and the risk of further oil shocks, we should be reducing the tax burden on fuel and energy, not increasing it.

“Right now, the Government needs to step up and show it has a clear plan to bring costs down for everyone, not just a select few.”

Cat Smith, the Labour MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood, defended key aspects of the Government response, but accepted there was still more to be done.

She said: “The Government is right to urge people not to panic buy and to improve transparency through the Fuel Finder scheme, and targeted support for households off the gas grid is important.

“However, it’s clear that more needs to be done to provide reassurance and stability. That means working closely with industry to maintain relia