Arabic version: الحكومة البريطانية تخصص 53 مليون جنيه إسترليني لدعم زيت التدفئة

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced a £53 million support package aimed at assisting vulnerable households affected by rising heating oil costs. The decision comes as heating oil prices have surged sharply following the outbreak of the US-Israeli war with Iran, pushing crude oil prices above $100 (£75) per barrel.

According to BBC News, households relying on heating oil have not benefited from price caps set by the regulator Ofgem, unlike those using gas and electricity. This has left many of these households, particularly in Northern Ireland, facing significant financial strain as some report their heating costs have doubled.

Approximately 500,000 homes in Northern Ireland use heating oil, which accounts for nearly two-thirds of all households in the region. In England and Wales, about 3% of households depend solely on oil for central heating, while the figure is 5% in Scotland.

Starmer emphasized that the government’s support would prioritize those households that are most exposed to the price rises. He also mentioned that the UK competition regulator has received reports of price hikes and canceled orders related to heating oil. Should any companies be found to have broken the law, legal action will be pursued.

The price of crude oil recently peaked at nearly $120 a barrel before slipping back to around $106, still significantly higher than pre-conflict levels. The surge is linked to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil supplies. While household gas and electricity bills in England, Wales, and Scotland are currently protected by an energy cap, future wholesale energy market trends will determine potential price increases for millions of households later this year.