Tim Farron demands immediate action as heating oil prices rocket

Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has tabled a motion in Parliament today calling for urgent intervention to protect local rural households from skyrocketing heating oil prices.

Official data has revealed that around 16,000 of off-grid households in Westmorland and Londale are being "abandoned" by the Government as the conflict in Iran drives up costs.

Liberal Democrats are calling for an initial three-month zero-rating for VAT on heating oil for all residential homes. 

According to House of Commons Library data, 35% of households in Westmorland and Lonsdale are off the gas grid. 

These residents, who often rely on heating oil, are currently excluded from the Ofgem energy price cap, leaving them fully exposed to market volatility caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The party has also called on the Government to develop a mechanism to shield off-grid families from sudden price surges, to provide them with similar protection  to the energy price cap. For the long term, the party has urged the Government to upgrade homes and make them cheaper to heat, starting with free insulation for those on low incomes, and ensuring that all new homes are zero-carbon.

Tim said: “Families in Cumbria who rely on heating oil are being left to bear the brunt of shocks to the global market in their bills.

”The Government must provide immediate relief for households who are grappling with rocketing oil and gas prices caused by the conflict in the Middle East.

“We need an immediate three-month zero-rating for VAT on heating oil for all residential homes to protect rural households from global price shocks.”