Heating Oil Support

Debate between Martin McCluskey and Jim Allister

Monday 16th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Martin McCluskey]

I completely agree with my hon. Friend. We must ensure that support is available in all parts of the UK as quickly as possible. In England, it will be available through the crisis and resilience fund from 1 April.

[Jim Allister (North Antrim) (TUV)]

In my constituency, an oil refill that was costing less than £500 costs well over £1,000 today, so I am rather underwhelmed by a package that offers a household £35 pro rata. How does the £53 million for the whole package compare with the increased VAT tax take from the rise in the price of heating oil? I suspect that it does not compare favourably. Would not the fairer—

--- Later in debate ---

[Jim Allister]

Would the fairer approach not have been to suspend the 5% VAT on home heating oil? Would that not have been fairer to everyone?

[Martin McCluskey]

My priority and the priority of the Government has been to ensure that support gets to people as quickly as possible, which is what we are doing today. The pro rata suggestion that the hon. and learned Gentleman has just made misses the fact that not everyone will fill up their tank during this period when prices are high. We do not know where the situation in the middle east is going, and we do not know what prices are going to be like two, three, four or five weeks from now. However, as I have said in response to other hon. Members, we will review the situation as it progresses.