Starmer pledges £53m support package as heating oil prices surge

Staff
By Staff
3 Min Read

The government will provide £53 million to help vulnerable households facing soaring heating oil costs triggered by the war involving Iran.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the funding would target rural communities most exposed to rising fuel prices.

Heating oil costs have surged since crude prices climbed above $100 (£75) a barrel following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East.

Unlike gas and electricity prices heating oil is not regulated by Ofgem meaning households reliant on the fuel have been among the first to feel the impact.

Some customers have reported their costs doubling in recent weeks.

Around 500,000 homes in Northern Ireland rely on heating oil representing nearly two thirds of households.

Across Great Britain about 3% of homes in England and Wales and 5% in Scotland use heating oil as their main heating source.

The government said the support would be delivered through targeted assistance to low income households.

In England £27 million will be distributed through local authorities via the Crisis and Resilience Fund which launches on 1 April.

Northern Ireland will receive £17 million while Scotland will receive £4.6 million and Wales £3.8 million.

Starmer said the move followed concerns raised by regulators about pricing behaviour in the market.

“If the companies have broken the law there will be legal action,” he said.

The Prime Minister added that the government was also working to reduce the wider pressures on energy prices by pushing for an end to the conflict.

“There is no question ending the war is the quickest way to reduce the cost of living,” he said.

Ministers said the support package is designed to provide immediate help to households most exposed to global oil price volatility.

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