Stories

Tue, 24 Mar 2026

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 What help can households expect with energy bills?

The war in the Middle East has brought fuel costs into sharp focus, and governments have been looking at how to help ease the pain for consumers.

* Help will instead be targeted at those who need it most, possibly including those on means-tested benefits like Universal Credit and Pension Credit.
* The UK government has given Stormont ministers £17m to help with heating oil costs, which would translate to around £35 per household if spread evenly.
* Estimates suggest that targeted support could range from £95 to £185 per household, but this is uncertain.
* A £30 deduction will be made from electricity bills in July as part of a UK government scheme announced before the current crisis.
* The war has caused price rises domestically, with oil and gas prices soaring.
* Duty on diesel will be reduced by 20 cent and petrol will be cut by 15 cent from midnight on Wednesday.