Stories

Wed, 11 Mar 2026

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 More support as heating oil costs 'double'

Rural farmers and homeowners are struggling to afford heating oil as prices rise.

* Heating oil prices have doubled since the conflict in Iran escalated, causing concern among farmers and residents.
* Wiltshire Council has put teams on standby to offer support to struggling residents, as 8% of the county's population relies on heating oil compared to a national average of 3%.
* Neighbouring Somerset is also affected, with MP Sarah Dyke writing to the government to call for more help for rural communities.
* The conflict has disrupted marine traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, affecting global oil supplies and leading to price increases.
* Oil distributors warn that prices could drop when the conflict settles, but in the meantime residents are being urged to only buy what they need.
* Residents like Mike Blacker, who is part of an oil syndicate in Wiltshire, are seeing prices more than double in a few days, with some suppliers quoting £1.25 per litre.
* Farmers like Ceri Cryer are struggling to get diesel for their tractors, with one supplier telling her stocks are running low and prices jumping from 0.79p to £1.49 per litre.
* Wiltshire Council officials are on standby to help social tenants struggling with heating costs, while the council leader Ian Thorn says teams will support any tenants or residents who may be struggling.