Prime Minister Andy Burnham faces mounting pressure from UK trade unions to address the cost of living crisis. They are urging him to intervene with the Trump administration to end the conflict in the Middle East, which they argue is a root cause of soaring energy and fuel prices. With rising household costs pushing families to their limits, unions say it’s time to halt further escalation and bring the region closer to peace.
The call for action comes from leaders of 10 unions, including Unison, which represents over 2.3 million workers. In a letter to Burnham, they warned that the war in the Gulf is not just a distant military issue. It has directly impacted ordinary British households, with annual energy bills rising by £221 and monthly food costs forecast to increase by £32.80. The unions argue that the only way to stabilize these costs is to stop the war from worsening.
The role of RAF bases in the escalation
A major focus of the unions’ appeal is the UK’s decision to allow the US to use bases like RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and the Indian Ocean territory of Diego Garcia for airstrikes against Iran. As US military positions in the region come under Iranian attack, reliance on British bases has increased. The unions claim that this support for the US war effort enables further conflict, with severe economic consequences for the UK and beyond.
Jonathan Portes, a professor of economics and former chief economist at the Cabinet Office, has backed the union position. He said Trump’s war and its ripple effects on global trade systems make it far more difficult for the UK to tackle the cost of living crisis. Khem Rogaly of the Transition Security Project added that allowing American bombers to take off from British soil could lead to Britain being complicit in potential war crimes.
Diplomatic pressure and economic fallout
Ed Miliband, the UK’s foreign secretary, is currently in Washington for his first major diplomatic meetings since taking office. During these discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, he stressed that the UK is not involved in offensive military operations. He said the government only allows its bases to be used in defensive actions for allied forces in the region. But he also emphasized that a lasting ceasefire is the top priority.
Miliband acknowledged that the US and UK are working together to find a peaceful resolution. However, the unions argue that this stance is not enough. They insist that the UK must take stronger diplomatic steps, including revoking the US’s right to use British bases for airstrikes. They believe that cutting off access to these strategic locations would significantly reduce the US’s ability to further escalate the conflict.
A government spokesperson said the foreign secretary’s remarks in Washington reflect the UK’s position on the war. They added that the government is focused on de-escalation and reducing global tensions, rather than fueling them. Miliband told reporters after his meeting with Rubio that his job is to work closely with the US to achieve a lasting ceasefire. He stressed that the UK will not support actions that increase the risk of war.
Despite these assurances, the unions remain concerned. They believe the UK is still contributing to the war effort, and unless the government takes decisive action, British bases will continue to serve as a platform for conflict. This, they argue, will keep energy prices high and deepen the financial struggles of families across the country. For now, the pressure on Burnham and his government to shift their stance on the war is likely to grow.
Together, these groups are calling for a bold change in UK foreign policy that directly addresses the link between global conflict and domestic economic hardship.
The unions’ argument is backed by leading economists and analysts. They point out that big oil companies have been the main financial winners of the war, with profits surging due to disruptions in shipping lanes in the Gulf. With global supply chains under strain and prices for essential goods climbing, the economic cost is falling heavily on ordinary consumers. The unions argue that stopping the war is not just a moral duty, but also an economic necessity.
As the conflict in the Middle East continues, so does the pressure on the UK government. With rising public concern over the cost of living, the unions believe the government must take a stronger stance. They urge Burnham to reject the US’s use of British military infrastructure in the war and use diplomatic channels to push for a swift end to the conflict. Until then, they say, the crisis at home will only worsen.