A template press release responding to the Conservative offer of heating oil with a breakdown of how many homes rely on oil by area. Included is a quote from Environment Spokesperson Tim Farron, and a blank quote for a local spokesperson.
Data to fill in template can be found here: Homes with heating oil
Please note that this is suitable for use in England, Scotland and Wales.
Liberal Democrats: Conservative offer on heating oil a “slap in the face” as households in [AREA] face [COLUMN E] increase to bills
The Liberal Democrats have branded the Conservative plans on heating oil a “slap in the face” for rural families in [AREA] as they offer off-grid homes just £100 extra help.
The average household on heating oil is facing a £1,200 increase in their heating costs, meaning the £100 help from the government will make little difference.
In [AREA] [COLUMN D] homes use heating oil to keep their homes warm. It means families in [AREA] on heating oil are facing a total increase of [COLUMN E] to the cost of their heating, even including the £100 help from the government.
Liberal Democrat spokesperson for [AREA] [NAME] said:
“People in [AREA] are facing unprecedented hikes in their energy bills, yet those who use heating oil are being forgotten.
“[COLUMN D] homes are facing a [COLUMN E] increase in their bills and the Conservatives have offered them just £100 to help.
“Once again rural homes are being forgotten by the Conservatives.”
Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs Spokesperson said:
“This is a slap in the face for rural communities across the country. People in rural areas often face higher bills yet despite this the Conservatives are offering them less.
“The promise of only an extra £100 for people facing a £1,200 hike in just their heating bill alone shows that the Conservatives don't understand the needs of rural communities who cannot rely on the mains grid.
"These communities are sick of being taken for granted and this announcement is proof – if ever it was needed - that the Conservative Government does not understand or care about rural Britain."
“Liberal Democrats are calling for a price cap on heating oil to protect homes facing sky high bills this Winter.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
Calculations
The average home using heating oil uses 2,500 litres per year, according to MoneySavingExpert. 1.5 million homes use heating in the UK.
That means that 3,750,000,000 litres of heating oil are used to heat homes each year.
When oil cost 47p/litre in September 2021 it would cost £1,762,500,000 to heat homes.
Now oil costs 95p/litre, meaning the cost is £3,562,500,000. Meaning houses using heating oil are paying £1,800,000,000 more to heat their homes, around £1,200 more per household.
The Government has promised an extra £100 for houses off the gas grid.
What would the price of heating oil be capped at?
The price of heating oil per litre has been around 50p/litre at its highest over the last four years. Since last August the price has risen significantly, the price spiked at 160p/litre in March before settling around 90p/litre. We would propose a cap between around 70 - 80 p/litre, which would be set in consultation with the companies and trade associations who supply the oil to homes.
How much will the cap on heating oil cost?
The average home using heating oil uses 2,500 litres per year, according to MoneySavingExpert. 1.5 million homes use heating in the UK.
So assuming the price of heating oil stays at 95p/litre and we set our cap at 70p/litre, the government would cover the extra 25p/litre of oil.
For one household that would cost £625 per year. For all homes we estimate the price cap would cost around £938 million.
Reference to £100 extra here (scroll down to “If you use electricity, but don’t use gas for your heating”)