HOUSEHOLDS that use heating oil will be getting a £53million emergency support package as bills have skyrocketed following the Middle East war.
The Government has now revealed details of how it will help heating oil customers, who mostly live in rural areas and in Northern Ireland.
Heating oil customers are not protected by the energy price cap so they are facing immediate price hikes.
Plus, the cost of kerosene (the fuel used for heating oil) is now double that of crude oil.
Under pressure to help out heating oil customers, the Government says it will offer support to low-income households struggling to pay for their heating.
In England, funding will be distributed by local authorities through the new Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) which comes into effect from April 1.
As a result, you may need to apply to your council’s CRF scheme – check your local authority’s website to see if any information has been provided.
The funding will particularly target areas with higher rates of oil heating.
A total of £17million in funding has been allocated to Northern Ireland as more homes there rely on heating oil, while England will receive £27million, Scotland will get £4.6million and Wales will get £3.8million.
It will be given directly to the devolved governments with the expectation it will be passed on to vulnerable households.
The Government also plans to provide stronger consumer protections for heating oil customers, including looking at creating a new ombudsman or regulator.
It will also support the Competition and Markets Authority’s plans to look into the UK’s heating oil industry.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “Heating oil prices have spiked sharply, and I know that for families in rural communities that is a real and urgent problem.
“That’s why we’re putting over £50million of support to help the people who need it most, including funding for the Northern Ireland Executive to deliver support in Northern Ireland where this issue hits hardest.”
The exact temperature to set your thermostat
ENERGY bills remain relatively high leaving many worrying over the thermostat.
Energy experts have revealed the exact temperature to set it at so that you can save cash and still keep warm.
When it comes to your thermostat, the Energy Saving Trust recommends you should set it to the “lowest comfortable temperature”.
For the majority of us, this is between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius.
It’s just the right balance between keeping your home warm, and keeping those energy bills as low as possible.
If you have your thermostat set at a higher temperature you can probably afford to turn it down and still keep cosy.
Of course, there are exceptions like anyone who is in ill health, and there is support available to cover extra costs.
Just by turning down the temp by a single degree, you could save as much as £100 a year.
If you cut it by more you will obviously make even bigger savings.
The Energy Saving Trust also says that you don’t need to turn your thermostat up when it is colder outside, the house will still heat up to the set temperature.
