Elderly Residents Scared to Turn on Heating Amid Soaring Oil Costs
Rising heating fuel prices are forcing some individuals to adopt extreme measures to stay warm, with concerns growing for vulnerable populations.
Some individuals are resorting to drastic measures to cope with the escalating cost of heating oil, with one woman reporting she is "scared to turn the heating on." Roslynn Garner-Gatley, from Devon, has adopted strategies such as going to bed earlier to keep warm while watching television and using a hot water bottle and bed socks as evening temperatures decrease.
Garner-Gatley explained that she only turns on her hot water when necessary for washing, cooking, or bathing, rather than keeping it on a timer. "After working all my life I didn't expect to be constantly worrying about how to keep warm at my age. It is really quite frightening," she stated.
Heating fuel costs have surged by up to 82% since the start of the US-Israeli war with Iran, according to Polly Billington, Minster for Energy Consumers. This significant increase is placing a considerable burden on households, particularly those in rural areas who rely on oil for heating and have limited alternatives.
In response to these rising costs, Cornwall Council and Devon County Council are providing financial assistance through their crisis resilience funds. Cornwall Council has issued payments ranging from £300 to £1,386 households, totaling £415,800, with plans to double this support by providing an additional £300 to the same households. The Devon fund, valued at approximately £8.4 million annually, is accessible through district councils and is intended for low-income households facing essential costs they cannot afford.
Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council also maintain their own crisis resilience funds to support residents struggling with increased heating oil expenses.
Earlier in October, the government announced plans to improve regulation within the heating oil sector. Ministers indicated intentions to tighten rules, foster greater competition, and establish clearer compensation pathways for customers experiencing issues. The review of minimum order levels for some customers was also mentioned as part of these efforts.