Rachel Reeves to set out extra support for UK households facing surge in heating oil costs

"Heating oil, which provides heating and hot water for an estimated 1.7m UK households, is not covered by Ofgem's energy price cap. In some examples seen by the Guardian this week, customers have seen quoted costs to refill tanks almost triple since the disruption to fuel supplies after the US-Israeli war on Iran began."

"The help will be delivered in England via councils using the new crisis and resilience fund. While the amounts involved have not yet been set out, it is understood that ministers could provide extra support to this fund if needed. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, devolved governments will receive money to deliver the help."

"People who use the fuel generally purchase it in bulk to fill tanks, often because their home is not connected to the mains gas network. As wholesale prices of heating oil have risen, some people have had pre-existing orders cancelled, forcing them to order again at a higher price."

Chancellor Rachel Reeves plans to announce extra support for households struggling with rising heating oil costs caused by Middle East conflict disruption. Approximately 1.7 million UK households rely on heating oil for heating and hot water, which falls outside Ofgem's energy price cap protection. Some customers have seen refill costs nearly triple. Support will be delivered through England's crisis and resilience fund via councils, while devolved governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland receive funding for their regions. Northern Ireland faces particular challenges, with heating oil being the primary heat source for two-thirds of households. The government is also pressuring retailers against price exploitation and asking the Competition and Markets Authority to monitor for unjustified price increases.

Read at www.theguardian.com