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Sun, 05 Apr 2026

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 'Elderly couple had to find £1k for home heating oil'

One elderly couple had to find £1,000 for an oil delivery and suppliers are not giving quotes, a councillor says.

* Prices of home central heating oil have doubled since the US-Israel war with Iran began, according to councillors at Ribble Valley Council.
* Uncertainty over oil supplies means households are having to accept suppliers' prices on delivery day rather than agreeing a fixed price beforehand.
* An elderly couple had to pay £1,000 for an oil delivery and were not given a quote beforehand.
* The cost of 500 litres of oil has risen from £440 to £850-£860 in just a short time.
* Some households have seen a 100% increase in prices.
* The government's £53m support package announced in March is being distributed, with £400,000 earmarked for Ribble Valley, including £37,000 for affordable warmth help.
* Low-income households in rural communities are eligible for help.