Isabella TorresWhat a COBRA meeting means for your wallet: rights during the UK's Iran war crisis
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called an emergency COBRA meeting for 24 March 2026 as Iran's war threatens to push UK energy bills up by £300 or more. Here is what the government's crisis powers mean for ordinary people — and when you may need a lawyer.
The Iran war has reached your energy bill
On 22 March 2026, the UK government confirmed a third emergency COBRA meeting this month, chaired by Chancellor Rachel Reeves and attended by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey. The trigger: an Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has sent oil prices surging, with analysts warning that household energy bills could rise by £300 or more before summer.
COBRA — formally the Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms — is the government's highest-level crisis committee. It convenes when a national emergency threatens public safety, economic stability, or essential services. Previous COBRA meetings in 2026 focused on supply chain resilience and inflation. This week's session adds a new dimension: direct consumer protection under conditions of geopolitical crisis.
What powers can the government actually use?
Under the Energy Act 2023 and the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, the government holds emergency powers that directly affect consumers and businesses:
Price intervention. Ministers can instruct Ofgem to hold or cap the energy price guarantee beyond its planned schedule. This happened during the 2022 Ukraine war, when the cap was frozen at £2,500 per household. A similar intervention is legally possible today.
Supply prioritisation. The government can direct energy companies to prioritise domestic heating over industrial use. This has not been triggered in 2026, but COBRA is examining it as a contingency.
Emergency benefit payments. During the 2022 crisis, an Energy Bills Support Scheme provided £400 to every household. Legal advocates note that any equivalent scheme must be administered fairly — people denied payments can challenge decisions via a formal review.
Import licensing controls. Under the Energy Security and Net Zero framework, the government can licence emergency LNG imports. These measures affect wholesale prices but not directly individual bills.
Your rights when costs spiral
Several consumer protections remain in force regardless of COBRA decisions:
Fuel poverty hardship rules. Under Ofgem rules, energy suppliers must not disconnect vulnerable customers — defined as those who are over 65, seriously ill, or have children under five — between October and April. That protection continues through March 2026.
Debt repayment limits. Even during an energy emergency, suppliers cannot take more than a set percentage of a prepayment meter credit to repay debt. If your supplier is deducting above the permitted rate, you have grounds to complain to the Energy Ombudsman.
Unfair contract terms. If your fixed-rate energy contract included a clause that lets the supplier pass through emergency costs unilaterally, that clause may be challengeable under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Courts have found similar clauses to be unfair in past energy disputes.
Discrimination in service. Emergency government schemes must be administered without unlawful discrimination. If you believe you have been excluded from a payment scheme on unjustified grounds, a legal challenge via judicial review is available.
What businesses need to watch
The COBRA meeting's focus on supply chain resilience signals potential policy action affecting commercial contracts. Companies with long-term commodity purchase agreements should review force majeure clauses now. The Iran war disruption could constitute a force majeure event, depending on contract wording — but courts generally require that the event was unforeseeable, which is harder to argue when oil market instability has been a known risk since late 2025.
Employment law is also affected. If rising energy costs force businesses to reduce hours or consider redundancies, strict legal procedures apply. Employees facing changes to terms of employment are entitled to written notice and consultation. Where 20 or more redundancies are planned within 90 days, employers must notify the government and consult for a minimum period.
What to do right now
If you are worried about energy bills rising beyond what you can manage, take these steps:
- Check your current tariff. Visit your supplier's website or call their hardship team. Many have emergency support funds that are not publicly advertised.
- Apply for the Warm Home Discount. The 2025–2026 scheme pays £150 to eligible households. Applications close in April 2026.
- Request a payment plan. Suppliers are legally required to offer affordable payment arrangements. If they refuse, escalate to Ofgem.
- Seek legal advice if contracts are broken. A lawyer specialising in consumer or energy law can advise you on whether your rights have been violated.
The COBRA crisis framework gives government significant powers — but those powers exist alongside a framework of legal rights for individuals. Understanding both sides of that equation matters when an emergency arrives.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal questions, consult a qualified solicitor.
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