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Can we afford another cost of living crisis?

Natalie Higgins and David Wallace Lockhart discuss whether the UK government can afford to step in if the US-Israel war with Iran fuels further price hikes.

If you’re interested in this episode, you may also like ‘Iran: Are our bills about to shoot up?’ /sounds/play/m002s4h6

The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has warned that the longer the US-Israel war with Iran continues, the worse the cost of living will get at home.

He’s announced some support for those who use heating oil – but it pales in comparison to the help given out after the Ukraine war. So what can the UK government afford these days?

The Âé¶¹Éç’s deputy economics editor Dharshini David answers our questions.

Scotcast is the Âé¶¹Éç’s Scottish news podcast. This episode is hosted by Natalie Higgins and David Wallace Lockhart.

Get in touch: scotcast@bbc.co.uk

Available now

22 minutes

Broadcast

  • Tue 17 Mar 2026 00:00

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