Rural Families Face Rising Heating Oil Costs

Newbury MP Lee Dillon has warned rural families across West Berkshire are still exposed to soaring heating oil bills, despite the Government accepting Competition and Markets Authority recommendations to regulate the domestic heating oil market.

The changes are expected to help around 1.7 million off-grid households, but ministers have not proposed a heating oil price cap or said when the new protections will start.

Many homes in West Berkshire rely on heating oil because they are off the mains gas network, leaving them vulnerable to sudden price spikes.

"Regulation is welcome and long overdue, but a new rulebook doesn't lower anyone's bill," said Mr Dillon.

The Liberal Democrats have called for a heating oil price cap and a temporary VAT holiday to help households struggling with costs. The Government's previously announced £53m support package for heating oil and LPG users is still being distributed by local authorities, but campaigners say it is only a short-term fix.

"Rural communities cannot be left waiting while winter approaches."

Mr Dillon added that many in the area have no choice but heating oil and that "Rural families in Newbury and West Berkshire shouldn't be treated as an afterthought every time energy policy is discussed in Westminster."

Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter