Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps the Government is taking to protect off-grid rural households in North East Hampshire that rely on heating oil from price increases following the conflict in Iran; and what assessment his Department has made of the financial hardship caused by those price rises.

The Government is working closely with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), which is reviewing the heating oil market, including pricing. We will carefully consider the CMA’s report and recommendations to ensure a fair outcome for consumers, and we are clear that we will not tolerate unfair practices or exploitative behaviour in the market. The Government recognises the pressures that price volatility can place on rural and off‑grid households and continues to monitor prices closely. In addition, we are providing £53 million of targeted support for low‑income heating oil households.