UK Government Delivers £4.6m Support for Heating‑Oil Households in Scotland
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Rural and off‑gas‑grid communities across Stirling and Strathallan continue to face soaring heating‑oil costs. Chris has been leading calls in Parliament and beyond to secure urgent support for affected households.
Over recent weeks, global instability has driven heating‑oil prices sharply upwards, with many rural homes seeing the cost of refilling tanks nearly triple. Unlike gas and electricity customers, heating‑oil users have no protection under Ofgem’s price cap and often face high upfront costs, leaving many under serious financial pressure.
Chris has been pressing UK Ministers to act, raising the issue directly in Parliament and meeting residents, including the Carron Valley community, last week, to hear first‑hand how the spike in prices is affecting older residents and those living in harder‑to‑heat homes.
In response to these concerns, the UK Government has now confirmed £4.6 million in funding for low‑income Scottish households who rely on heating oil. This support will be passed to the Scottish Government to distribute through existing programmes, and Ministers have urged the Scottish Government to ensure the money reaches families “as quickly as possible”.
At the same time, the UK Government has announced plans to introduce new consumer protections for heating‑oil users, including a strengthened industry Code of Practice, improved price transparency, and priority support for vulnerable households during periods of disruption. Work is also underway with the Competition and Markets Authority to examine pricing practices and consider whether formal regulation or an ombudsman is required.
Speaking in Parliament, Chris highlighted the particular pressures facing rural Scots:
“Many households in the rural part of my constituency, including in Carron Valley, rely on heating oil and live in older housing stock that can be difficult to make energy‑efficient. Many of those communities also have an older population. Does the Minister recognise the particular challenges this creates, and will the Government consider future measures that better reflect the nature of rural housing?”
Energy Minister Martin McCluskey MP agreed, emphasising that while the UK Government is taking action in England, the Scottish Government must now bring forward its own proposals after abandoning its Heat in Buildings Bill.
Chris said:
“Rural families across Stirling and Strathallan have been hit hard by the surge in heating‑oil prices. I welcome the UK Government’s decision to deliver this support, and I’ve called on the Scottish Government to set out its plan urgently so that help reaches those who need it most. People simply cannot afford delays or uncertainty.”
Chris will continue to monitor the situation closely, pressing both UK and Scottish Ministers for timely action and supporting affected residents across Stirling and Strathallan.
If you are affected by rising heating‑oil prices, click here to share your views.
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