Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what steps she is taking to ensure off-grid households reliant on heating oil are sufficiently supported and protected ahead of winter 2026-27.

The Government recognises the particular challenges faced by households in rural and remote areas that are not connected to the electricity grid. Many of these households rely on heating oil and LPG as their primary source of heating.

This year, the Government announced £53 million of support for low-income households that use any fuel for domestic heating, cooking or lighting, helping to address rising energy costs.

For those considering alternatives to oil heating, the Government is supporting the installation of low-carbon heating through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, for eligible households in England and Wales. A time-limited higher grant of £9,000 is available for eligible off-gas-grid properties replacing oil or LPG heating systems, helping households and small businesses most exposed to volatile fossil fuel prices to switch to low-carbon heating. The Government is regulating the heat oil sector for the first time.

In addition, the Government published its formal response to the CMA heating oil report on 13 October, and plans to strengthen regulations in the market for the first time, making sure households who use heating oil are treated fairly.