Editorial: ​Iran war is just one of many reasons UK families are struggling

​There is no doubt that one of the most acute causes of the financial struggles facing families across the country is the war in Iran – but sadly the problems run much deeper.

Whatever the rights and wrongs of the decision by the United States and Israel to launch attacks on the middle eastern nation, the impact on the economy has been clear for all to see.

Unlike many foreign wars in recent decades, which have had little in the way of a direct impact on the pockets of voters at home, western nations have really felt the economic impact.

This week, American voters delivered their verdict on the President's actions, giving the Republican Party a bloody nose in a string of states and leaving Donald Trump a lame duck leader for the next two years.

The soaring cost of diesel and its knock-on effect on the economy is hurting households across the United Kingdom too.

Given the UK government, under Sir Keir Starmer, chose to stay out of the war in Iran, it is not something that the Labour Party can be blamed for.

The Burnham administration is keen to point that out, and blame the conflict for the financial pressure on families.

Yesterday, in response to a hike in interest rates by the Bank of England, Chancellor John Healey said the war "is reaching deep into the pockets of families and businesses here at home".

However, it is not quite the whole story. Labour has refused to deal with the overall tax burden which is stifling growth and competition. Much of that is down to their inability to get with the balloning welfare state.

We are all feeling the impact of the Iran war, but there are still much deeper structural problems facing the UK.

An end to the conflict will help, but then the government must address deeper issues which are impacting living standards.