I know Mumsnet users will be worried about the potential impact of events in the Middle East on the cost of living here in the UK.
Families have a right to expect that the government will fight their corner in difficult times—and that is what we are determined to do.
Last Friday, the Chancellor and I called in petrol retailers to warn them that we will not tolerate unfair practices like price gouging during this conflict.
We will not apologise for taking action to get a fair deal for consumers.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve been in close contact with the Competition and Markets Authority, who will not hesitate to act if they see evidence that the law has been broken in relation to petrol prices or elsewhere.
And we have made it clear that all petrol retailers must sign up to the Fuel Finder scheme so drivers can find the cheapest deals and check if they’re being overcharged.
We are also standing up for families reliant on heating oil.
In recent weeks we’ve heard appalling stories of companies cancelling deliveries of heating oil only to then rebook them at a higher price.
The government is clear that this kind of behaviour is unacceptable, and the Competition and Markets Authority is investigating these complaints.
The reality is this is a part of the energy industry that for too long has been under regulated and lacked the protections that consumers rely on elsewhere.
That is why we have announced new measures to protect families against any unfair practices, including regulating the heating oil sector.
But we know families also need immediate support, so the Chancellor has committed £53 million to support low income and vulnerable households struggling with rising heating oil costs.
This funding is being allocated through local authorities, and I would encourage anyone at risk of financial hardship who think they might be eligible to apply for support.
When it comes to gas and electricity bills, thanks to the decisions we took at the Budget to bring down bills, funded by asking the wealthiest to pay their fair share, the energy price cap will fall by £117 annually at the start of April.
Those savings are locked in until the start of July, and this week we have given a legal direction to the energy companies that every single penny must be passed on to consumers.
Yesterday I met with consumer groups and charities to discuss the issues they are seeing first-hand and we will continue to work closely with them over the days and weeks ahead.
And as we stand up for people in the short-term, we are also determined to learn the right lessons from this crisis.
Once again, we are seeing what it means to be stuck on the rollercoaster of international fossil fuel markets and, as the Prime Minister said earlier this week, our response will be to go further and faster on our drive for clean, homegrown power that we control.
That is why we are bringing forward our next renewables auction, building on the two record breaking auctions we have already held which have secured enough clean, secure power for the equivalent of 23 million homes.
We have announced that we will make plug-in solar available for the first time in Britain, building on their success in Germany and elsewhere in Europe—so that you will be able to buy low-cost solar panels from a supermarket and set them up on your balcony or garden to cut your bills.
And we are speeding up delivery of our £15 billion Warm Homes Plan to cut bills and shield families from energy shocks, with additional funding for mayors to upgrade homes in their areas.
In the weeks since this war began, we have demonstrated that the government will not allow conflict abroad to be an opportunity to rip families off.
We will step in where we need to and learn the right lessons to protect the British people now and over the years to come.