Four in five Britons worried Iran war will make food more expensive, poll finds

Four in five Britons are worried the Iran war will make food more expensive, a new poll shows, as business leaders urge the government to cut energy costs for retailers [1]. Research by Opinium found 80% of people are worried about rising grocery prices, with 73% expecting the conflict to push up the cost of other products [1]. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has sent oil and gas prices soaring and disrupted the global fertiliser industry, making shipping and distribution more expensive [1]. Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC), said the war is “driving up costs across the supply chain and families are right to be concerned” [1]. She called on ministers to remove non-commodity energy costs for retailers, arguing other governments are already acting to reduce business electricity bills [1]. The survey of 2,000 people indicated the cost-of-living crisis will remain a potent political issue, with 81% worried about energy bills, 76% about fuel costs, and 68% about tax increases [1]. Food and non-alcoholic beverage prices rose by 3.7% in the year to March 2026, according to official data [1]. The Bank of England has forecast food inflation could rise to 7% by year's end due to higher fertiliser, energy, and transport costs [1]. Dickinson warned that “every cost government chooses not to address is a cost that will find its way into someone’s shopping basket” and said “the window to act is closing” [1]. A government spokesperson said it is “acting to protect people” and has suspended select food tariffs while working with the sector to keep household bills down [1].