Greens push for billions to be spent on energy support if bills rise over Iran war

The government should set aside billions of pounds to support households if energy bills rise in the wake of the Iran war, the Green Party leader has said. In a speech, Zack Polanski said ministers should plan to cover a potential rise of £300 per household this year to end "uncertainty" over future prices. The party argues the estimated £8.4bn costs could be covered by hiking taxes on capital gains, and tightening an existing tax on energy firms' profits. Polanski's call comes as political parties vie to convince voters they should be trusted on the cost of living ahead of elections in Scotland, Wales and some English councils in May. The issue of energy bills has emerged as a key electoral battleground in recent weeks, as fears grow that the continuing conflict in the Middle East could cause lengthy disruptions to energy supplies and a prolonged spike in prices. In his speech, the Green leader said Labour ministers should guarantee now to support billpayers if energy costs rise after June, when the price cap on household energy set by regulator Ofgem is next scheduled to be recalculated. He argued that families felt "helpless" in the face of the situation globally, and it was rig