SIR Keir Starmer today announced an emergency £53m support package for heating oil customers.
At a Downing Street press conference, the PM said the funds will go to “those households that are most exposed” to eye-watering price hikes.
The move comes as turmoil in the Middle East drives up global oil prices and piles fresh pressure on household budgets.
The targeted financial support will be directed at low-income households in rural communities “who have no choice but to top up their tanks at a time when prices have risen so significantly”.
In England, funding will be distributed by local authorities from 1 April.
Devolved governments in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales will also be responsible for dishing out financial support to “vulnerable households”.
Funding has been allocated based on census data, “reflecting where the greatest need is”,
The PM declared that alongside protecting customers from unfair hikes, he will impose a “legal direction” on energy companies to pass on
“every penny of the savings that we delivered at last year’s budget” straight to consumers.
The support package is aimed particularly at people who rely on heating oil rather than mains gas to warm their homes.
Around 1.7 million households in England and Wales depend on kerosene for heating and hot water.
Unlike gas and electricity, heating oil prices are not capped and can spike when global markets surge.
In Northern Ireland, where about 62.5 per cent of homes rely on heating oil, bills have soared since the conflict intensified.
Some households have seen prices double, with reports of cancelled deliveries and shortages.
Sir Keir warned suppliers against exploiting the situation.
He declared: “I will not tolerate companies trying to exploit this crisis to make money from working people.
“If companies have broken the law, there will be legal action.”
The PM visited Northern Ireland last week, where soaring heating oil costs were repeatedly raised by families.
He argued that ending the conflict is the fastest route to easing pressure on household bills.
Sir Keir said: “We will continue to work towards a swift resolution of the situation in the Middle East.
“Because there is no question that ending the war is the quickest way to reduce the cost of living.”
Household energy bills are set to fall by seven per cent in April after green levies were moved by Chancellor Rachel Reeves into general taxation.
But prices remain about a third higher than before the war in Ukraine, while billpayer debt has ballooned.
Gas and electricity bills could face sharp rises from July, after the price cap lifts, due to higher wholesale gas prices.
The announcement comes as the PM faces mounting pressure to scrap a planned fuel duty rise in September.
Today he refused to commit to blocking the rise – but left the door open to further action prices at the pump.
Sir Keir said: “As to what happen in three months, in six months, I’m not going to stand here and pretend to you that we know what the situation will be…
“The best way through this is to de-escalate and reduce the conflict because that is the most simple and effective way to deal with the cost of living, and that’s where we’re putting all our focus.”
