North Somerset Council appeals for government support as oil costs soar
The council says Trump’s war with Iran has pushed up bills for rural villages.
North Somerset Council is appealing to the government after Trump’s war with Iran pushed up bills for rural villages.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has led to serious fluctuations in the price of oil. 3,146 households in North Somerset rely on heating oil as their only source of heating, with 70% of households in Failand relying on heating oil and more than 50% of households in Kingston Seymour.
Councillor for the village of Backwell, Bridget Petty (Green), told a meeting of North Somerset Council on April 21: “In part of Backwell, in the Farleigh area, 20% of my residents rely on oil as their heating method. So when I hear the cost to fill their oil tanks has gone from around £500 to £1200, that is not something that a household can just have budgeted for.”
Ms Petty added: “I have been keeping an eye on the diesel prices and I know that impacts our farming communities, those who have crops to harvest and animals to transport.”
The government has made support for households who rely on heating oil, but council leader Mike Bell (Weston-super-Mare Central, Liberal Democrat) said this was “a drop in the ocean.” Most households can get £50 of support and vulnerable households can get £150. Mr Bell said: “Much more needs to be done so I am happy to write to the government and ask for that.”
In a statement earlier this month, he said: “Many families and households across North Somerset are continuing to feel the impact of rising living costs, and we know this remains a very difficult time for many residents.
“We are particularly concerned about the pressures facing people who rely on heating oil, who may be especially affected by the current price rises caused by the conflict in the Middle East. For households already managing stretched budgets, any additional cost can have a significant impact.
“I want to reassure residents that support is available. Anyone on a low income who is affected by the heating oil price hikes should look at the help available through the council’s welfare provision scheme. This scheme is there to provide financial assistance to eligible residents who are struggling with essential household costs.”
According to Iran, 3,375 people have been killed in the conflict, including 383 children. Despite a fast-changing situation, the Strait of Hormuz remains broadly closed by Iran. American B-52 and B-1 bombers can now be seen in the sky over nearby Gloucestershire after the UK allowed the US to use RAF Fairford for “specific defensive operations”.