James Wild MP has called on ministers to ensure heating oil support is reaching those who need it, while welcoming local help for households under pressure and calling for wider reform.
Speaking in a Westminster Hall debate, James highlighted the scale of the issue in North West Norfolk, where more than 20,000 households are off the gas grid. This is leaving many particularly exposed to the recent surge in heating oil prices caused by disruption in global fuel markets.
He welcomed the Norfolk County Council’s Heating Oil Crisis Fund and urged ministers to keep a close watch on whether the funding going out matches the level of need.
James said:
“When people are struggling, urgent support is needed. I welcome the crisis fund that Norfolk County Council has established and the fact that the Conservative-led administration chose to double the funding to £6 million.
“Clearly, there is concern about the adequacy of those funds, which I raised with the Energy Secretary. I would be grateful if the Minister could confirm that his Department is monitoring in real time the payments that are going out.”
In response, Energy Minister Martin McCluskey acknowledged James’ call for closer monitoring of the support and said the government was holding “weekly stocktakes with the DWP” in England, with data expected in May on how many applications had been made and payments issued.
Support is focused on those in need and is not limited to people on benefits and Norfolk County Council has said households earning around £35,000 may still qualify. Residents can apply via www.norfolk.gov.uk/heatingoil
James also drew on constituency cases from residents who had seen orders cancelled or prices raised after arranging deliveries. He welcomed Goff Petroleum’s decision to honour agreed prices and warned that the structure of the market leaves both suppliers and customers exposed to shocks.
James said:
“We should recognise that the just-in-time model that many firms in the industry use exposes them, and thus customers too, to shocks.
“We need to see reform in the market: greater pricing transparency and formalised priority support for vulnerable people. We should also recognise that this is an issue for businesses, not just for households.”
Finally, he warned rural communities and local businesses are being squeezed by rising transport costs as well as heating oil prices. In rural areas like North West Norfolk where many people often depend on their vehicles, he said the government should be easing pressure rather than adding to it.
He said:
“Prices at the pump have leapt - and in the Budget the Chancellor committed to increase fuel duty by 5p from September, after 14 years of freezes under the previous Conservative Government.
“That is the wrong choice and puts higher costs on to drivers and businesses. While international factors are largely at play, the Government can choose to act to ease the burden of tax and levy. That is what they should be doing. The plans that we have set out would do that and would save people £200.”
