Emergency support call for households hit by soaring heating oil costs

More than 20,000 homes in Babergh and Mid Suffolk rely on heating oil, which has seen prices double because of the war in Iran.

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils have set out their concern for those impacted, and signposted people to the existing local support available.

Calls have also been made for the regulation of the heating oil market and emergency financial support.

Cllr Deborah Saw, deputy leader of Babergh District Council and portfolio holder for people and place, said: “Our priority is to support people impacted by the high cost of living, and our residents have seen the price of heating oil increase double in a matter of days. 

“We have many elderly and vulnerable residents living on fixed incomes in isolated villages who are very worried about how they will afford to heat their houses. Families and elderly people are being forced into greater fuel poverty. Couple this with a reliance on the car and rising petrol prices and it’s a double whammy for our residents.”

Cllr Andy Mellen, leader of Mid Suffolk District Council and cabinet member for performance and resilience, said: “The high cost-of-living continues to be a challenge for many people and these shocking increases in heating oil costs are pushing more people into serious difficulties.

“As a matter of urgency, I think the government needs to look at regulating the heating oil market and introduce emergency support to protect those who rely on heating oil but have no consumer protection. 

“This, for example, could be an emergency payment, equivalent to the £200 Alternative Fuel Payment made to off-grid households in 2022.”

Cllr Saw added: “We welcome schemes to upgrade the energy efficiency of homes, but these schemes are long-term transitions — not crisis support. They require applications, assessments, and eligible properties. 

“They do not help the families in Suffolk who cannot afford their oil delivery this week. They do not prevent suppliers from charging vastly different prices to households in the same postcode. Our residents need help now.”

Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils are advising those impacted to look at the existing options available for help.

These include collective buying schemes that bulk buy to secure a better price for households.
 

• Details of Community Action Suffolk’s community oil buying and bulk LPG scheme can be found here.
• The Oil-Club details can be found here.

Interest-free loans are also available from the Eastern Savings and Loan Credit Union to spread the cost of oil. These are subject to affordability, a credit check, and a membership fee – more details are available here. 

People who are struggling to pay their heating bills may also be able to apply for a grant from the Suffolk Local Welfare Assistance Scheme.

A full list of the potential support and advice can be found on the Babergh or Mid Suffolk council websites. This includes local energy improvement grants, and schemes to improve energy efficiency – including Mid Suffolk’s Cosy Homes scheme.

People can also contact Sudbury and South Suffolk Citizens Advice on 01787 321400, or Mid Suffolk Citizens Advice on 01449 676 060 for free, expert and confidential advice.