Richard Partington looks at warnings of economists that Trump's illegal war of choice against Iran may have serious longterm global economic consequences:

"With each day, more problems are emerging. From the soaring price of petrol and diesel for motorists, to cancelled flights and the worst travel disruption since the Covid pandemic."

#Trump #Iran #war #oil #gas #fertilizer #crops #agriculture #food #FoodPrices #EnergyBills #travel #AirTravel
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https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2026/mar/22/iran-war-global-economy-donald-trump-oil-prices-inflation

Virgin Media paying households up to £250 in rare offer ending April 1

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/money-saving/virgin-media-paying-households-up-33628044

Martin Lewis says one 'demon appliance' is spiking your energy bills

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/martin-lewis-says-one-demon-36891719

As Winter Approaches, Australian Families Face Hard Choices on Heating Bills

#CostOfLiving #WinterHeating #EnergyBills #AusHouseholds #AusPol #AusNews #AIGenerated

https://thedailyperspective.org/article/2026-03-21-as-winter-approaches-australian-families-face-hard-choices-on-heating-bills-2d0de494

Martin Lewis says 'demon appliance' is 'really expensive' and bad for energy bills

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/martin-lewis-says-demon-appliance-36902699

PRICE SHOCK: Iran conflict to hit YOUR pockets! Window and door prices set to SOAR this summer

While petrol prices and energy bills have dominated the headlines, a hidden cost is quietly building in the supply chain, set to hit local pockets hard. This latest blow comes as families and businesses in our region are already grappling with rising costs, from Llanelli hauliers struggling with fuel prices to Carmarthenshire families facing a heating crisis.

Experts warn that uPVC windows and doors, a common choice for many, are made partly from petroleum-derived chemicals. With oil prices surging by over 40% since the conflict began, these costs are set to filter down to consumers.

Antony Heath, Development Director of Glevum Windows, revealed the grim forecast: “There’s a hidden consumer cost building quietly in the supply chain that hasn’t been picked up yet.”

He explained that a four-month lag means the full impact of rising oil prices on construction costs won’t be felt until summer, just as many families are looking to upgrade their homes.

This comes at a time when rising energy bills are making home upgrades, particularly to improve insulation, more urgent than ever.

Brent crude oil has been holding above $100 a barrel, a staggering 40% increase since the conflict erupted on February 28th. The Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route, remains largely closed to commercial traffic.

According to Lloyd’s List Intelligence, only 90 tankers have passed through the strait in the last 20 days, compared to a normal rate of around 120 vessels daily.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer admitted on Monday that reopening the strait is “not a simple task,” with the UK working with allies on a collective plan.

The government’s official economic forecaster, the OBR, has already warned that if oil and gas prices remain high, UK inflation could hit 3% by the end of the year – a full percentage point above the government’s target.

For a typical semi-detached home, a full uPVC window installation currently costs between £4,000 and £6,000. With oil prices having surged by over 50% in just three weeks, and the Strait of Hormuz effectively shut, homeowners could see these figures rise significantly before the end of summer.

This means that delaying those crucial home improvements could end up costing you hundreds, if not thousands, more.

The timing of these price rises is particularly sharp for homeowners with older glazing. Around 18% of a home’s heat is lost through windows, and upgrading to energy-efficient double glazing can save up to £395 a year on bills.

This comes as Cornwall Insight forecasts the energy price cap will rise to £1,827 in July, an 11% increase from the current April level of £1,641.

Antony Heath, Development Director of Gloucestershire-based Glevum Windows, reiterated the industry’s concerns:

“The connection between oil prices and window costs isn’t something most people think about, but nearly half the raw material in a uPVC frame comes from petroleum. What we’re seeing in global markets right now will feed through to quotes. Homeowners who are already thinking about new windows would be wise to move sooner rather than later.”

For homeowners across South Wales considering new windows or doors, industry experts offer crucial advice:

• Get quotes now, not later: With a four-month lag, current installer prices may not yet reflect the spike. Locking in a quote now could save hundreds.
• Prioritise the worst-performing rooms first: North-facing rooms and single-glazed frames lose the most heat and will offer the biggest return on investment.•Check your window rating: Windows are rated A++ to E for energy efficiency. Anything rated C or below may not meet current building regulations and is likely costing you more on bills.
• Don’t overlook doors: A poorly insulated front or back door can account for significant heat loss, and uPVC doors are subject to the same raw material pressures as windows.
• Ask about lead times: Fabricators are already reporting supply chain pressures. Even if prices hold short-term, delays in installation are increasingly likely.