Ministers confirm talks with allies after Donald Trump calls on Britain to help protect vital oil shipping route

THE UK GOVERNMENT is examining “all options” to help secure the Strait of Hormuz as tensions in the Middle East threaten one of the world’s most important oil routes.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said Britain is already in discussions with allies, including the United States, about how to restore safe navigation through the narrow shipping corridor, through which around one fifth of the world’s oil supply passes.

Speaking on BBC One’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Miliband said reopening the strait was a global priority but stressed the government favours de-escalation rather than military confrontation.

“It is very important that we get the Strait of Hormuz reopened,” he said. “We are in talks with allies about how to secure that key shipping route. Any options to help the Strait reopen are being looked at.”

The comments come after US President Donald Trump called on several major powers — including the UK, France, Japan, South Korea and China — to send warships to the region to ensure the vital oil corridor can no longer be threatened by Iran.

The escalating conflict between the US, Israel and Iran has already led to attacks on shipping in the Gulf, raising fears that Tehran could attempt to block or severely disrupt the strait.

Political divisions in Westminster

The prospect of British military involvement has exposed sharp political divisions in Westminster.

Shadow energy secretary Claire Coutinho said the UK should explore deploying ships or surveillance drones to the region if doing so would protect Britain’s national interests.

She argued that keeping international shipping lanes open and protecting military assets abroad was vital for global stability and the UK economy.

However, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey warned Britain should not automatically follow Washington into another conflict.

He said the quickest way to stabilise oil markets and secure the route was through diplomatic de-escalation rather than military intervention.

Davey also criticised President Trump’s approach to the crisis, warning the UK should not be “at the beck and call” of an American president.

Global oil supply at risk

The Strait of Hormuz is widely regarded as one of the most strategically important shipping routes in the world.

Bounded by Iran to the north and Oman and the United Arab Emirates to the south, the narrow channel connects the oil-rich Gulf region to the Arabian Sea and global markets.

Around 3,000 vessels pass through the strait every month, carrying an estimated 20 million barrels of oil per day.

Any prolonged disruption could send global oil prices soaring and drive up fuel and energy costs in countries including the UK.

Government sources have warned the economic impact of the Middle East conflict could be “huge”, with ministers already examining measures to shield households and businesses from potential spikes in energy prices.

The developments are being closely watched in Pembrokeshire, home to the South Hook and Dragon LNG terminals at Milford Haven. Tankers carrying Qatari liquefied natural gas frequently pass through the Strait of Hormuz before reaching the UK, meaning any disruption in the Gulf could have implications for energy supplies and prices in Wales.

For now, the government insists diplomacy remains the preferred path — but with tensions rising and pressure from Washington increasing, Britain may soon face difficult choices about how far it is willing to go to secure the world’s most critical oil chokepoint.

Affordable housing proportion rises as apartment plans replaced with family homes

AMENDMENTS to the final phase of a housing development in Saundersfoot have been approved, reducing the overall number of homes while increasing the proportion of affordable properties on the site.

Morgan Construction (Wales) Limited, through agent Evans Banks Planning Limited, sought permission to reconfigure the third phase of a residential development at Whitlow, Narberth Road, Saundersfoot.

The application was recommended for approval and came before members of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s Development Management Committee at its March meeting.

The original scheme, granted permission in 2023 and already partly built, allowed for a total of 54 homes. Under the revised proposals the number will be reduced to 47.

A planning officer’s report explained that the development is being built in phases. Phase one consists of 16 market homes, while phase two includes 19 affordable properties.

The application concerned the final stage of the project, known as phase three.

Under the original consent, phase three would have delivered 19 one- and two-bedroom apartments located in the centre of the site. However, the revised plans replace those flats with a mix of houses.

The new layout will include two three-bedroom detached houses, three two-bedroom detached bungalows, four two-bedroom terraced townhouses and three three-bedroom terraced townhouses.

This change reduces the number of homes in phase three from 19 apartments to 12 houses.

Although the number of affordable homes across the development will remain unchanged, the reduction in market housing increases the proportion of affordable properties on the site from 35.1 per cent to 40.4 per cent.

The applicants told planners that demand for the previously approved apartments had been limited. They said there was already a considerable supply of such properties in the lower part of Saundersfoot, while demand locally appeared stronger for homes suited to young families and for older residents wishing to downsize into smaller bungalows.

The report added that without the changes the final phase of the development could remain unbuilt, leaving future residents living on a partially completed site.

Committee members agreed to grant delegated approval to planning officers, subject to the completion of legal agreements covering planning obligations.

These include provisions to secure the affordable housing in perpetuity, along with financial contributions towards library services, recreational open space and sustainable transport.

AN APPEAL has been lodged against the refusal of plans for a takeaway food kiosk at a former lifeboat store in Tenby’s seaside harbour, despite planning officers recommending the scheme for approval.

Last March, members of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority development management committee rejected proposals to site a takeaway food kiosk at the former RNLI lifeboat store at Penniless Cove, Tenby Harbour.

The application, submitted by Ruby Goodrick, sought permission to convert the old store into a takeaway cold food outlet operating seven days a week from 10:00am to 10:00pm.

The scheme came before councillors rather than being determined under delegated powers after Tenby Town Council objected to the proposal.

Despite the objection, planning officers recommended the scheme for approval, even though it represented a departure from the adopted development plan.

An officer report said: “Whilst it is acknowledged that the proposed use would introduce a retail element to this area of the harbour, on balance officers consider that no significant harm would be caused to the character of Tenby Harbour as a result of this development.

“The use proposed occupies a relatively small floor area and would not be a destination in and of itself. Rather, it would rely on the existing footfall within the harbour.”

Speaking at the meeting in March (2025), Alistair McKay, representing Tenby Sailing Club, warned the proposal could create potential conflicts with other harbour users.

The applicant told councillors she was “more than happy” to adjust the proposed opening hours. Ms Goodrick said the business would build on the success of her mother’s former sandwich shop in the town, Truly Scrumptious.

The proposed outlet, called Truly@The Harbour, would “contribute positively to the local economy,” she said.

However, committee members raised concerns including congestion in the harbour area and the handling of waste.

Members eventually voted by 12 votes to three to refuse the application.

The applicant has now lodged an appeal with Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW).

In a statement supporting the appeal, Ms Goodrick said: “The proposal is modest in scale, does not harm the retail hierarchy, is in close proximity to the town centre, and has received no objections from the majority of the statutory consultees.”

The appeal statement adds that the refusal was based on the kiosk being outside the defined town centre boundary.

However, it argues that the building is located only around 25 metres outside the retail centre boundary and would otherwise represent a use considered acceptable within the town centre.