UK parties focus on household costs as Green conference enters second day

The Green Party conference entered its second day with household costs at the centre of UK political debate, as the price of diesel was reported to have risen above £2 a litre for the first time. The Guardian reported that filling an average family car now costs about £110, nearly £32 more than at the start of the year. It attributed the wider pressure on energy, food, transport and housing to disruption affecting global shipping routes after an eight-month war.

The report said G7 countries, including the UK, released 100 million barrels of oil and diesel on Friday after pressure from US President Donald Trump. It did not say how the release would affect prices for households. Green Party leader Zack Polanski used his conference speech to call for an emergency brake on rent increases.

The party’s deputy leaders were expected to announce a policy offering guaranteed jobs to people aged 18 to 24. The Conservatives’ annual conference is due to begin on Sunday. Their leader, Kemi Badenoch, was expected to announce a childcare benefit for people earning more than £100,000, according to the live report.

The Guardian also reported that Chancellor John Healey’s first Budget, due in several weeks, was expected to focus on reassurance for households and businesses through targeted assistance rather than major tax or spending increases. The political developments came alongside security-related comments from Reform deputy leader Richard Tice. He said Nigel Farage’s concerns about his personal safety had not always been believed or acted upon.

Police charged Joshua Kerry, 28, with a terrorism plot against Mr Farage; he also faces a murder accusation involving former Reform spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe.