TODAY (Monday 16 March) the Prime Minister announced a £53 million support package for households reliant on heating oil.

The Countryside Alliance has welcomed the announcement, but is urging the government to provide further detail for rural households struggling with soaring fuel costs.

The impact on rural communities is severe, the Alliance says.

Millions of rural people are off the mains gas grid and rely on heating oil to keep their homes warm. Since the start of the conflict in the Middle East, prices have doubled in some areas, placing immediate financial pressure on households already facing higher living costs. Around 1.5 million households are reliant on heating oil, and are therefore not protected by the energy price cap.

Tim Bonner, Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance, said:

“£53 million in support is welcome, but Ministers will need to ensure that help arrives quickly for the households that need it most. Rural poverty often goes unseen, but it is driven by exactly this sort of inequality.

“The commitment to take legal action against suppliers who cancelled orders and hiked prices is significant, and the fuel duty freeze until September is vital for rural households, where driving is essential for work, healthcare, and daily life.”

The news comes at a time when multiple police forces across the country have warned rural households about oil theft, issuing warnings and urging people to lock their tanks and consider installing security measures.

The Countryside Alliance is also concerned that support schemes should not overlook other off-grid households. Around 200,000 rural homes rely on LPG, yet these households have not been mentioned in today’s announcement. Like heating oil users, they face volatile prices and limited access to affordable fuel.

The Countryside Alliance has been highlighting to government Ministers the disproportionate impact of energy price increases on rural communities. The Alliance advocates swift action to ensure that support reaches all vulnerable off-grid households - and that suppliers’ market abuses are fully investigated.

South Wales Central Conservative MS Andrew RT Davies has called for police resources to be deployed to prevent heating oil thefts across Wales following the reports of oil thieves targeting rural communities across the country.

Mr Davies, who chairs the Senedd’s Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee, and represents several rural communities in the Vale of Glamorgan, said local officers must be given the resources and support they need to protect against the threat.

Mr Davies said:

“It’s deeply concerning to hear thieves are seeking to profit off the back of heating oil price increases.

“Police resources must be deployed towards preventing this, and protecting rural communities across Wales.

“Officers serving rural communities work incredibly hard, but they need support and resources to protect against this threat.”