Boris Johnson tells GB News UK 'vulnerable' to Russia energy price rises

GB News Political Editor Darren McCaffrey spoke to Boris Johnson in Manchester, during the Conservative Party Conference.

The Prime Minister discussed the future of the BBC, the cost of living, the shortage of HGV drives, but was reluctant to be drawn into the ongoing gender debate, following the comments of the leader of the opposition.

On the cost of living, Boris Johnson said: "At the moment we're vulnerable to Russian gas prices, so what they do in the Kremlin impacts us in the UK - we've got to be much smarter than that."

"So we're investing in clean green energy."

Asked whether the BBC will be around in ten years, the PM said: "The BBC has been around for a very long time, it's a great national institution I have no doubt it will be around for a very long time."

Following Keir Starmer's comments that it's wrong to say 'only women have a cervix', the PM was hesitant in response, saying: "Biology is very important, but we've had a system now in our country for many many years in which people can change gender.

"What I absolutely passionate believe... everybody should be treated with dignity and respect.'

On the HGV driver shortage, Mr Johnson said: "There's been a chronic driver shortage for years, more than six years there's been a problem with HGV drivers."

"It's a problem that affects the whole world, not just in the UK it's in Poland, there's even a driver shortage in China."

On the fuel shortage, the PM said the problem "is abating a great deal."

He said he understands people's "frustrations" and people's "sense of infuriation that they can't get petrol when they want it."