Can ministers prevent an energy bill crisis?

This week, with the conflict in the Middle East showing no signs of abating, host Alain Tolhurst takes a look at what impact it might have on the UK, with everything from energy bills to government debt and mortgage rates potentially affected by the spike in oil prices, stock market downturns and global uncertainty.He's joined by Labour MP Bill Esterson, chair of the Commons energy security and net zero committee, to discuss what support ministers might give to mitigate rises in petrol prices and gas and electricity bills, and the politics of government intervention.Alongside him is Paul Johnson, provost of Queen’s College, Oxford and a Senior Advisor at Frontier Economics, along with Niamh O Regan, Senior Researcher at think tank the Social Market Foundation, and Dr Simon Cran-McGreehin, Head of Analysis at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit. To sign up for our newsletters click hereThis year's Women in Westminster: The 100 is out for 2026. Supported by Lloyds Banking Group, it is a celebration recognising the outstanding achievements of women and the vital role they play in shaping public life. Click here to see who has made this year's listPresented by Alain Tolhurst, produced by Nick Hilton and edited by Ewan Cameron for Podot