![Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckley said: "For those of you [who are] reliant on heating oil, over the last few weeks we have been doing as much work with ministers as we can to try to get some additional support. I know there are over 6,700 homes in the Shrewsbury constituency that are off the gas grid. If that applies to you, please do fill in the survey."](https://image.chitra.live/api/v1/wps/a768774/a2744876-1747-46a5-8385-5e0bab0e6d79/4/Julia-Buckley-679x419.jpg "Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckley said: \"For those of you [who are] reliant on heating oil, over the last few weeks we have been doing as much work with ministers as we can to try to get some additional support. I know there are over 6,700 homes in the Shrewsbury constituency that are off the gas grid. If that applies to you, please do fill in the survey.\"")
Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckley said: "For those of you [who are] reliant on heating oil, over the last few weeks we have been doing as much work with ministers as we can to try to get some additional support. I know there are over 6,700 homes in the Shrewsbury constituency that are off the gas grid. If that applies to you, please do fill in the survey."
A new survey is seeking to collect evidence of the challenges rural and farming communities face as bills for heating oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) surge following conflict in the Middle East.
Independent heating oil supplier Boiler Juice said the price of UK heating oil had increased by more than 121% on March 8 to 134.2 pence per liter (ppl), compared to the 60.46ppl price on February 28 when Israel and the US had launched air strikes on Iran.
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Heating oil prices reduced by 5.96ppl 128.24ppl on Monday (March 16), but prices still remain at elevated rates of more than 112%.
Gov recognises rise in heating oil prices for rural communities
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said it was a 'real and urgent problem' that heating oil prices have spiked in rural communities since the start of the war in Iran.
On Monday (March 16), Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had announced a £53 million Government package to support 'vulnerable' families with soaring heating oil costs.
The funding will be distributed by local authorities via the Crisis and Resilience Fund, previously known as the Household Support Fund.
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Sir Keir said the Government will accelerate its plans to build Britain's energy security and independence given the current Middle East crisis, and he warned oil suppliers which break the law will face legal action.
The Labour Rural Research Group (LRRG) is now seeking to collect evidence and data from rural areas across the UK, to further understand the scale and impact of the price rises and supply issues facing homes and businesses reliant on domestic heating oil and LPG.
LRRG presses Gov on heating rural oil price increases
Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckley, a member of LRRG, said: "For those of you [who are] reliant on heating oil, over the last few weeks we have been doing as much work with ministers as we can to try to get some additional support.
"I know there are over 6,700 homes in the Shrewsbury constituency that are off the gas grid.
"If that applies to you, please do fill in the survey.
"It is led by myself and colleagues in the LRRG.
"We have been meeting with minsters over the last week to press the case for some additional financial support."
South West Norfolk MP Terry Jermy said the LRRG has played an influential role in making the Government recognise the struggles rural communities have faced with price hikes to oil and LPG.
"Following several crucial meetings and discussions with Government Ministers and officials over the past two weeks, myself and LRRG colleagues are delighted to share that the Government has agreed to launch an emergency heating oil support package for rural residents," Mr Jermy added.
"In South West Norfolk, more than 20,000 households rely on heating oil.
"I have been lobbying for a support package over the last week and look forward to sharing more details with you soon.
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"Thank you to everyone who got in touch to share your experiences and completed the survey we launched last week. By sharing your experiences, you have directly informed this Government response.
"I am so pleased to say that support is on its way."
Price gouging 'unacceptable'
North West Leicestershire MP Amanda Hack said she has heard from many rural residents about the rise in heating oil prices across the constituency following the volatility in the Middle East.
"Some residents have told me about orders being cancelled and then reissued at significantly higher prices," Ms Hack added.
"I know that for households that rely on heating oil, delaying an order simply is not an option. Poor practices and hiking up prices is completely unacceptable."
Details of the survey can be found here.
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