Earlier today, Martin took part in the Prime Minister’s statement on the escalating situation in the Middle East and the recent strikes involving Iran. During the statement, Martin raised concerns regarding the security of global oil supplies and the potential impact on the UK economy. He highlighted reports from industry contacts that refineries in the region have begun shutting down due to the conflict, which could lead to significant disruptions for British businesses and consumers. Martin asked the Prime Minister for assurances that the Government has contingency plans in place to secure and maximise oil supplies during this period of instability.
You can read Martin's question and the PM's reply below. You can also read the full debate online here: https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-03-02/debates/C3BE6001-08B4-4DF8-8193-A4BFF0C57E9B/MiddleEast#contribution-06108C24-F026-4822-B820-2A73DC18010D
Martin Vickers
The Father of the House, my right hon. Friend the Member for Gainsborough (Sir Edward Leigh), is no longer in his place, but can I put on the record my support for the words of caution that he expressed earlier? Can I turn the Prime Minister’s attention to oil supplies? It is not just about the risks to shipping; I understand from contacts in the industry that some refineries in the region are shutting down. Clearly, that could have a serious impact on business in this country. Could the Prime Minister assure us that contingency arrangements are in hand to maximise oil supplies?
The Prime Minister
I assure the hon. Member that we are taking measures with our allies to safeguard the supply and to do all we can to ensure that we have the energy we need where we need it.
