Sir Keir Starmer has delivered an Easter message acknowledging a moment of "real anxiety" for Britain, linking economic pressures and rising costs to the conflict in Iran.
He stated the nation is at its best when it chooses "community over division". Separately, the Prime Minister suggested faith could offer "reassurance and grounding" amid uncertainty, praising churches for their work in supporting families and uniting people across the country.
He added: “In times when some seek to divide, the Government is committed to working across faiths and differences to build a country that is more resilient, inclusive and connected.”
Britons are braced for a cost-of-living squeeze as conflict in the Middle East and a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, through which around a fifth of the world’s oil and gas is shipped, sends global oil prices skyrocketing.
Fuel duty is frozen until September, with the increase scheduled for then under review as a result of the high prices, and average household energy bills are predicted to rise when Ofgem’s current price cap expires at the end of June.
In his Easter message, Sir Keir said: “Easter is a celebration of hope, new life and renewal.
“Across the country, churches and Christian communities quietly and tirelessly support families, children and neighbours – offering comfort, bringing people together, and standing alongside those who need it most.
“It is precisely that spirit of service which exemplifies national renewal, and reflects the very heart of Christ’s example.
“This Easter comes at a time of real anxiety for many people. Conflicts abroad, pressures at home, and uncertainty about the future weigh heavily on families and households.
“In moments like these, faith offers reassurance and grounding – a reminder that we are not alone, and that hope can still take root even in difficult soil.”
The Prime Minister added: “Our country is at its best when we choose community over division, kindness over indifference, and service over self‑interest.
“I thank everyone who gives their time through churches and Christian charities, and wish Christians across the UK and around the world a very happy Easter filled with peace, hope and the promise of new life.”
Tory Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch also offered a hopeful message, describing Easter as “a reminder that even in the darkest times, renewal is possible and that light can overcome darkness”.
“At the heart of the Christian faith is a story of redemption, of second chances, of perseverance and of the belief that better days lie ahead,” she said.
“In a world that can often feel uncertain, perhaps even bleak, with conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, and challenges at home, that message matters more than ever.
“Across the country, we also see the cultural value of Christianity in the quiet, everyday impact of that faith in acts of kindness, service and sacrifice in our communities. I wish Christians and all people across the United Kingdom a very happy Easter.”
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