Stories

Wed, 08 Apr 2026

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 Councils working on policy for heating oil support

A new government fund launched on 1 April will provide financial support for households on heating oil.

* Estimated 30,000 households in Berkshire use heating oil
* Prices doubled after US-Israel war with Iran started
* Government's Crisis and Resilience Fund provides single grant cutting red tape
* Local authorities must draft policies before getting council approval
* Reading Council will not receive additional funding for heating oil due to low demand in urban area
* Key thing is to understand energy needs and get advice sooner rather than later, according to Citizens Advice East Berkshire