Chancellor raises prospect of help after prices almost treble since start of conflict
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Rural households that rely on heating oil to warm their homes and provide hot water are facing a “sudden and frightening” surge in their bills, with prices almost trebling since the start of the Iran war.
The cost of heating oil is not covered by Ofgem’s energy price cap and varies between suppliers. In examples seen by the Guardian, customers who were typically paying 62p a litre before the war are now being quoted about £1.73.
The prospect of government help was raised when the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, told parliament she recognised households that used heating oil faced “unique challenges”. She said officials would meet rural and Northern Ireland’s MPs on Wednesday to explore “further action”.
