Image caption, Mike Blacker is reliant on heating oil at his home and says costs have doubled in a couple of weeksByPeter Davison, Local Democracy Reporting Service and Kirsten Robertson, WiltshirePublished11 March 2026 Farmers and residents say they are concerned after heating oil costs have "doubled" since the conflict in Iran escalated. Wiltshire Council said teams are on standby to offer more support to struggling residents, as about 8% of the county's population relies on heating oil, compared with the national average of 3%. In neighbouring Somerset, Glastonbury and Somerton MP Sarah Dyke has written to the government to call for more help for rural communities amid risks people in the county "will not be able to afford to heat their homes". Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she recognised that households who use heating oil face "unique challenges" and has promised meetings to discuss an action plan.
Published: March 11, 2026 4:17 pm
Source: BBC — Read original