Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps her Department is taking to protect rural households that rely on heating oil to heat their homes from supply disruptions and price volatility.

This government is determined to ensure consumers reliant on heating oil are treated fairly and better protected, including during times of international volatility.

The government published its formal response to the CMA heating oil report on 13 October, confirming it will take forward proposals to introduce stronger regulations for the first time, and agreeing with the CMA that we will not be replicating the gas and electricity price cap. Instead, we will focus on a programme of reform to strengthening consumer protections.

However, this Government does recognise the impact that heating oil price increases has had on households. In March 2026, the Government announced £53 million of targeted support for low-income households who heat their homes with oil. Wales was allocated £3.8 million, reflecting the number of Welsh households that rely on heating oil. Using this funding, the Welsh Government is providing a one-off £200 payment to low-income households that use heating oil or LPG and receive support through the Council Tax Reduction Scheme.