During a press conference yesterday, Keir Starmer confirmed a £53 million support package to help the most vulnerable households facing rising heating oil costs.
The UK Government has announced new financial support for households that rely on heating oil, offering extra help to rural and off-grid communities as they manage increasing energy bills.
“We are going to support rural communities with the cost of heating oil… £53m for households that are most exposed.”
Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister
What has been announced:
£53 million support package to support households facing higher heating oil costs.
The support, which you can read in full here, will be targeted at low-income households in rural communities affected by the recent surge in energy prices.
Funding will be allocated across the UK as follows:
England: £27 million
Northern Ireland: £17 million
Scotland: £4.6 million
Wales: £3.8 million
Support for rural and off-grid homes
This funding is designed to help households that aren’t connected to the gas grid—many of which rely on heating oil to keep their homes warm and provide hot water.
Support delivered locally
In England, the funding will be distributed by local councils through the Crisis and Resilience Fund, launching on 1 April. Your local authority will share details soon on how to apply.
In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, funding will be provided to devolved governments, with the aim of supporting vulnerable households in off-grid communities.
We’ll keep you updated
As more information becomes available about the government’s support package, we’ll continue to share updates so you know what help you may be able to access.
Heating oil prices are influenced by global energy markets, and we’ll keep a close eye on changes to help keep you informed.
Stay informed
More guidance on who is eligible and how the funding will be distributed is expected soon. Keeping up to date will help make sure you don’t miss out on any support.
Plan ahead for your heating oil
Prices can change in response to global events, so it’s a good idea to plan your deliveries in advance and keep an eye on your tank levels. This can help you avoid last-minute orders.
Keep an eye on market updates energy markets can shift quickly. We’ll continue to share updates to help you understand how changes may affect heating oil prices.