Ed Miliband to represent UK at emergency G7 energy talks as Burnham attends funeral
Miliband will join French President Emmanuel Macron and other leaders as US pressure mounts on Europe to draw down diesel reserves.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Ed Miliband will stand in for Deputy Prime Minister Andy Burnham at an emergency G7 call on world energy markets, as the Prime Minister attends his father’s funeral, according to both the Independent and the Evening Standard.
What happened
The United Kingdom’s Foreign Secretary is expected to join French President Emmanuel Macron and other G7 leaders for talks on Friday afternoon. The meeting comes amid U.S. pressure on European nations to use their diesel reserves, with diesel prices in Britain hitting a record £2 per litre.
What the reports add
The Independent notes that the previous record price was 199.09p in June 2022, set after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Standard repeats this figure and adds that the price surge is linked to disruptions from the U.S.–Israeli conflict with Iran and Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Both outlets report that U.S. President Donald Trump has said he “may” call for Europe to draw down on its diesel stores and is considering an export ban on American diesel.
What was said
Transport minister Keir Mather told broadcasters on Friday morning, “I want to reassure people this morning that the United Kingdom has got a diverse range of supply when it comes to diesel,” as reported by the Independent. He added, “We have resilience built into our system for that reason. We are working very closely with our US counterparts to stress the importance of that relationship, and the importance of sustaining flows of diesel around the world, but also working through international fora in the International Energy Agency and partners in Europe from whom we get a proportion of our diesel imports as well,” the Standard quoted.
How it came about
Britain’s government has been seeking to calm public concerns about fuel supply after diesel prices rose sharply. The emergency G7 call follows a series of geopolitical shocks – the U.S.–Israeli conflict with Iran and Russia’s war in Ukraine – that have tightened global energy markets. Earlier this week, Felo News reported on the broader energy shock from the Iran‑Russia war affecting U.S. job openings, underscoring the wider economic ripple effects of the current fuel crisis.
Key facts
- Ed Miliband will replace Andy Burnham at an emergency G7 meeting on world energy markets. (independent.co.uk)
- Diesel prices in Britain have risen to £2 per litre, surpassing the previous record of 199.09p set in June 2022. (independent.co.uk)
- U.S. President Donald Trump said he may call for Europe to draw down diesel reserves and is considering an export ban. (standard.co.uk)
- Transport minister Keir Mather said the UK’s diesel supply is diverse and resilient. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk
- [2] standard.co.uk
