Home heating prices are soaring – here's how some households may be able to get help

The Iran war has sent heating oil prices soaring, but help is available for low-income households.

Senior woman examining temperature of radiator at home, wrapped in a blanket.

Westend61/Getty Images

Published: May 29, 2026 at 3:45 PM

One of the earliest price casualties of the Iran war was heating oil, which is used by more than 1.5 million Britons to heat their homes. In the first week of March the average UK price for 1,000 litres more than doubled, from 61p a litre to £1.33. It has fallen back since then, but reader Graham who lives in Shropshire emailed me to say he was still being quoted double what he paid in January when he topped up with 550 litres.

Ad

“The current crisis is hitting people who use an oil-fired boiler to heat their homes very hard,” he wrote. “I last filled my oil tank in January 2026 and oil then cost me 52p a litre. I thought it prudent to top up my oil tank last week. This time it cost a staggering £1.02 per litre. I tried shopping around but the answer was the same.”

Find out how much you could get for your car

About 760,000 people use oil (also known as kerosene) to heat their homes in England, mainly in rural areas. In Scotland the number is 128,000, and 105,000 in Wales. It is most common in Northern Ireland where the gas network is less developed and 470,000 households – around half – rely on it. It is most expensive in Scotland and cheapest in England.

In April the Government shared £52.4 million among the four nations to help low-income households with the cost. Each country administers it differently. In England local councils pay it through their Crisis and Resilience Fund. The Scottish government added £10 million itself for an Emergency Heating Oil Scheme. It gives grants of £300 to low-income households through Advice Direct Scotland.

The Welsh Government will make grants of £200 to people who get Council Tax Reduction, and others in hardship can apply to the Discretionary Assistance Fund for a bigger grant. The Northern Ireland government has added £19.2 million to the Westminster money and later this year will give a £100 prepaid card to purchase oil for households with an income below £30,000 or on means-tested or disability benefits. Outside England the schemes also cover Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG).

For further information, try one of the following:

Ad

Make sure your pension works as hard as you did - free guide

Ad

Ad

Ad