Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail (i) any estimate her Department has made of the increase in the average price of home heating oil, since the start of the conflict with Iran; and (ii) any assessment she has made of the impact of those increases on households that rely on heating oil.
Minister for the Economy: Consumer Council figures show that since the start of the conflict involving Iran, the average retail price of home heating oil in the North has more than doubled, with the cost of a typical 500‑litre delivery increasing by over 100% between late February and early April.
I am very concerned about the impact of this spike in heating oil prices on households here, particularly on lower income and vulnerable households.
The Executive has agreed to provide an additional £19.2 million in addition to the £17 million announced by the Treasury to support consumers of home heating oil in the North who are in most need. Work is being taken forward to deliver this through the Department for Communities. I am meeting regularly with the Ministers from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Michael Shanks and Martin McCluskey to press for urgent additional support.
The Consumer Council provides invaluable information for consumers by monitoring heating oil prices and publishing weekly average prices. Consumers are encouraged to use its website to compare suppliers and find information on oil buying clubs and Fuel Stamp schemes.
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