The Prime Minister opened Cabinet by inviting the leaders of the
Commons and the Lords to update on business in both Houses. This
includes the consideration of Lords' amendments to the Victims
and Courts Bill in the Commons tomorrow.
Turning to the arson attack in Golders Green, the Prime Minister
reiterated his condemnation and said this was an horrific
antisemitic attack. He said the local Jewish community was not
alone in feeling the impact, but the Jewish community across the
whole country. He said this emphasised the need to move swiftly
in implementing the government's social cohesion plan.
On Iran, the Prime Minister said the risk of escalation was
higher the longer the conflict went on. He said the UK had to
work with others to de-escalate the situation and reopen the
Strait of Hormuz. The Prime Minister re-emphasised the defensive,
limited and specific basis under which the UK had allowed the US
to use its bases to take out Iran's capability to strike our
interests, and those of our allies. The Prime Minister said the
UK was prepared to defend our interests and those of our allies,
but not to be dragged into the war.
The Prime Minister then turned to the economic impact of the
conflict and turned to the Chancellor to update the Cabinet ahead
of her statement to the House later today.
The Chancellor said the range of outcomes from the conflict for
the UK was uncertain, but that the decisions taken at the Budget
and Spring Statement meant that the country was in a better
position as a result. She pointed to the fact that people would
feel the benefit of around £150 off energy bills and rail fare
and prescription charge freezes. She then set out the details on
her statement to Parliament later.
The Defence Secretary then set out a range of defensive activity
involving the UK since the conflict began. He said the UK had
defended allies in Israel, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and
Jordan from attacks overnight, while a counter-drone team had
brought down 13 drones during an attack on a joint base in Iraq.
He said the UK's pilots had flown nearly 900 hours defending our
interests and our allies over the past four weeks.
