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Sun, 15 Mar 2026

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 Starmer to set out support plan for heating oil costs

Households have faced a sharp rise in the cost of heating oil since the outbreak of the US-Israeli war with Iran.

* Plans to support households affected by a sharp rise in heating oil prices will be announced by the government.
* The price of crude oil has jumped above $100 (£75) a barrel since the US-Israeli war with Iran began, causing a spike in heating oil costs.
* Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said she has "found the money" to help households affected by the price rise.
* Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is expected to set out the support plans at a news conference on Monday and will not tolerate companies trying to exploit the crisis.
* The support plans are reportedly costing £50m.
* Households who use heating oil, particularly in Northern Ireland where 500,000 homes rely on it, have been disproportionately affected by the price rise.
* Some customers say their costs have doubled, with about 3% of households in England and Wales and 5% in Scotland relying on heating oil for central heating.
* The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating allegations of price gouging by heating oil suppliers.
* The UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association has defended its members, saying they are honouring orders as quickly as possible despite the high demand.
* Sir Keir is expected to raise concerns about reports of cancelled orders and prices being pushed up.
* The government may need to intervene to help with energy bills if wholesale costs remain high, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said.