The escalating conflict in the Gulf continues to dominate the political and economic agenda, with tensions between Donald Trump and Iran pushing global markets and UK policymakers into increasingly precarious territory. With the Strait of Hormuz still under threat and a critical U.S. deadline looming, the potential for further disruption to energy supplies and prices is intensifying by the hour.
Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces a high-pressure day on multiple fronts. Alongside a Cobra meeting with senior ministers and Andrew Bailey to assess the economic fallout, the Prime Minister will also be subjected to a lengthy Liaison Committee grilling - where MPs are expected to probe the widening domestic impact of the conflict, from inflation and fuel prices to defence preparedness.
While officials stress contingency planning is underway, concerns are mounting over energy security, supply chains and the risk of consumer panic. Ministers are also exploring tougher regulatory measures to prevent profiteering, as the knock-on effects of the crisis begin to spread beyond fuel into food and broader cost-of-living pressures.
On the international front, the UK’s role in the war continues to evolve, with legal and military questions surfacing following a shift to allow U.S. strikes from British bases under certain conditions. Meanwhile, heightened rhetoric (including claims over Iran’s missile capabilities) has added to an already febrile security environment.
Domestically, the war is reshaping the political landscape. For Starmer, the crisis offers both risk and reprieve: economic pressures are deepening, but the focus on national security has, for now, tempered leadership speculation within Labour ranks.
Elsewhere, divisions within government remain visible. Shabana Mahmood is pressing ahead with stricter asylum measures despite internal criticism, while delays to long-promised legislation - including the Hillsborough Law - are drawing renewed scrutiny.
With a packed Westminster agenda this week, spanning housing, infrastructure, sentencing reform and HS2, ministers are attempting to maintain momentum on domestic priorities. But with geopolitical instability showing little sign of easing, the government’s efforts to stay on the front foot look set to face continued strain in the days ahead.
Headlines
- Iran threatens to lay mines across the entire Gulf if coasts are attacked as Israel warns war could continue for weeks – The Guardian
- Golders Green fire latest: Jewish volunteer ambulances set ablaze in 'antisemitic hate crime' in London – Sky News
- Plan to scrap most short jail terms comes into effect - BBC News
What’s on in Parliament
Monday 23rd March
House of Commons
- Oral questions: Home Office
- Consideration of Lords amendments: Tobacco and Vapes Bill; National Insurance Contributions Bill
- Adjournment: Rail connections between London and rural towns
House of Lords
- Oral questions: Repowering onshore wind farms
- Oral questions: Future UK financial assistance, loans, or aid packages to Ukraine to finance reparation
- Legislation: Pension Schemes Bill - report stage (day 3) part one
Tuesday 24th March
House of Commons
- Oral questions: Energy Security and Net Zero
- Westminster Hall Debate: Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood
- Westminster Hall Debate: Access to endometriosis services
House of Lords
- Oral questions: Ensuring public transport is fully accessible
- Oral questions: Reduction in government spending, following Office for National Statistics data on public sector borrowing and 10-year gilt yields increases
- Legislation: English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill - report stage (day 1)
Wednesday 25th March
House of Commons
- Oral Questions: Northern Ireland
- Prime Minister’s Question Time
- Westminster Hall Debate: Government support for voluntary groups and community centres
House of Lords
- Oral questions: Actions in response to the Cranston Inquiry Report, published on 5 February
- Oral questions: Strengthening the work of the Media Freedom Coalition
- Legislation: Crime and Policing Bill - third reading
Thursday 26th March
House of Commons
- Oral questions: Transport (including Topical Questions)
- Business Statement: Business Questions to the Leader of the House
- Westminster Hall Debate: Potential merits of mandatory body armour for prison officers
House of Lords
- Oral questions: The government's A.I. growth lab
- Oral questions: Antisemitism in international human rights bodies
- Legislation: Pension Schemes Bill - third reading
Friday 27th March
House of Commons
* The House of Commons is not sitting and will next sit on 13th April.
House of Lords
- Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill - committee stage (day 13)
Consultations
- Improving protection for huntable wild birds – Closes 17th May
- Permitted development rights for onshore wind turbines in England – Closes 10th June
Statistics
- Public opinions and social trends, Great Britain: February 2026 – Published 20th March
- Non-Quota species uptake by UK vessels: Provisional dataset 2026 – Updated 20th March
- HMRC tax receipts and National Insurance contributions for the UK – Published 20th March