EDM: Heating oil financial support

Heating oil financial support

Tabled by Sarah Dyke (Liberal Democrat) 20 signatures

The motion

That this House notes with concern the ongoing price shocks rural residents that rely on heating oil and LPG are facing; appreciates the Government’s offer of financial support for the most vulnerable; is anxious about whether the package will alleviate the pressures rural residents face right now, especially since only £1.16 million will be allocated to Somerset despite around 40% of households in Glastonbury and Somerton being off-the-gas grid; further notes the lack of information over the process used to determine who is in genuine need of support; also notes the lack of tailored support provided to councils to ensure that they are ready to act quickly to support rural households needs; regrets the lack of clarity over whether the additional funding will be ring-fenced under the Crisis and Resilience Fund to only support those in need with domestic fuel issues; once again calls on the Government to provide urgent targeted support for rural communities by introducing a three-month zero-rating of VAT on heating oil for residential homes and to develop a price cap to protect households reliant on heating oil from sudden price rises; and finally further calls on the Government to reduce long-term energy costs by upgrading homes, starting with free insulation for low-income households and ensuring that all new homes are built to zero-carbon standards.

Signatories (20)