UK Adviser Urges Remote Work to Combat Iran War Energy Crisis

A former adviser to ex-Prime Minister Gordon Brown has urged the UK government to encourage widespread working from home as a measure to address impending energy shortages triggered by the ongoing conflict in Iran. Professor Nick Butler, who previously served as vice president for strategy and policy at BP, made the recommendation during an interview on Times Radio, citing the need to conserve fuel amid surging oil prices.

Butler warned that the most severe effects of the crisis remain ahead, with diesel prices potentially rising well above 2 pounds per litre by late April and early May. "The real crisis for Britain and for Europe will come at the end of April and in early May, when the real shortage will translate into both a physical shortage and a sharp rise in prices," he said. "I don't think we've yet seen the full impact on prices of this loss of supply." He added that jet fuel prices have already doubled and could increase further, attributing prior market complacency to expectations of a quick resolution under US President Donald Trump.

The conflict, now in its seventh week, stems from US-Israeli military actions in Iran that began in February. These operations have led...