'Elderly couple had to find £1k for home heating oil'

'Elderly couple had to find £1k for home heating oil'29 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleRobbie MacdonaldLocal Democracy Reporting Service

Getty Images An elderly couple sitting down and holding hands with a walking cane.

Getty ImagesOne elderly couple told a councillor they had to find £1,000 for an oil delivery

People living in rural Lancashire have seen prices double for their home central heating oil since the US-Israel war with Iran began, councillors at one local authority have said.

Current oil supply uncertainty means some households are having to accept suppliers' prices on the day of delivery rather than agree on a price before.

Councillor Simon Hore, leader of Ribble Valley Council, highlighted rising oil costs at the borough's Policy and Finance Committee, during a talk on the £53m government support package announced in March.

He said: "An elderly couple in their 80s told me they had to find £1,000 for an oil delivery and suppliers are not giving quotes. It's really quite difficult."

'Problem is happening now'

Fellow councillor Kevin Horkin said: "A lot of elderly people in villages across the borough are extremely worried.

"The cost of oil was £440 for 500 litres a month ago, now it's £850 or £860, depending on the price on the day.

"In some instances, there has been a 100% increase in the price.

"It's all well and good for the national government to talk about a price cap in the coming months, but this problem is happening now in the Ribble Valley."

He added: "We need a help scheme which is open and understandable, so the public gets the message that there is help for those facing a crisis."

The government announced a £53m support package on 15 March via the Crisis and Resilience Fund, to help low-income households in rural communities with the heating oil price increases.

Millions of pounds have since been allocated to Lancashire County Council for distribution over three years, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

From that, £400,000 has so far been earmarked to the Ribble Valley, including £37,000 for affordable warmth help, the LDRS said.

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