Ben Maguire MP Urges Government Action Over Rising Heating Oil Prices

A North Cornwall MP has called for urgent action from the Government after official data revealed that almost 27,000 households in the constituency could be facing rising heating oil costs linked to the conflict in Iran.

Ben Maguire MP has urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to step in after she acknowledged that there has been “price gouging” in the heating oil market. According to Ben, some supplier companies are using the crisis in Iran to inflate prices.

Thousands of homes off the gas grid

Figures from the House of Commons Library show that 53.4% of households in North Cornwall are not connected to the gas grid. Many of these rural homes rely on heating oil to heat their properties.

Because heating oil is not covered by Ofgem’s energy price cap, these households are fully exposed to fluctuations in the global market. Ben says this leaves rural residents particularly vulnerable when international events push up energy costs.

Call for VAT relief on heating oil

The Liberal Democrats are calling for an initial three month zero rating of VAT on heating oil for all residential homes. The party says this would provide immediate support for rural households dealing with rising prices.

Ben has also urged the Government to develop a system that would protect off grid homes from sudden price surges in the future, similar to the energy price cap used for gas and electricity.

In addition, the Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to upgrade homes in rural areas to make them cheaper to heat. Their proposals include free insulation for those on low incomes and ensuring that all new homes are zero carbon.

What Ben Maguire said

Commenting on the situation, Ben Maguire MP said:

“Families here in North Cornwall who rely on heating oil are now being left to bear the brunt of shocks to the global market in their bills.

“The Government must urgently provide immediate relief for my constituents who are grappling with rocketing oil and gas prices, which’ve been caused by Trump’s conflict in the Middle East.

“The Chancellor knows that families who rely on heating oil are getting ripped off, but she is refusing to help. She MUST see sense.

“We Liberal Democrats are calling for an immediate three month zero rating for VAT on heating oil for all residential homes to protect rural households in constituencies like mine from these global price shocks.”