Residents in rural Lancashire are grappling with a dramatic surge in home heating oil prices, with costs doubling since the onset of the US-Israel conflict with Iran, local councillors have reported.
Councillor Simon Hore, leader of Ribble Valley Council, shared a poignant example during a recent Policy and Finance Committee meeting. "An elderly couple in their 80s told me they had to find £1,000 for an oil delivery and suppliers are not giving quotes," he said. "It's really quite difficult."
The price instability means many households can no longer secure fixed quotes in advance, instead facing whatever price suppliers set on the day of delivery. Councillor Kevin Horkin highlighted the severity: "The cost of oil was £440 for 500 litres a month ago, now it's £850 or £860, depending on the price on the day. In some instances, there has been a 100% increase."
Horkin emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating: "It's all well and good for the national government to talk about a price cap in the coming months, but this problem is happening now in the Ribble Valley." He called for clearer support mechanisms, adding, "We need a help scheme which is open and understandable, so the public gets the message that there is help for those facing a crisis."
In response to the escalating costs, the government announced a £53 million support package on March 15 through the Crisis and Resilience Fund, aimed at assisting low-income households in rural communities. Lancashire County Council has received millions from this fund for distribution over three years, with £400,000 allocated to the Ribble Valley so far, including £37,000 designated for affordable warmth initiatives.