Starmer Announces £53m Heating Oil Aid, Vows UK Won't Be Drawn Into Wider War
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a £53 million emergency support package aimed at helping vulnerable households, particularly in rural communities, cope with the soaring cost of heating oil. The move comes as global oil prices, which have remained above $100 a barrel, have been further impacted by the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran, with some customers reporting their costs have doubled. At a press conference, Starmer emphasized that the support would be 'targeted' at low-income households, with local councils determining eligibility and distribution. This approach contrasts with the broad, multi-billion pound energy bill caps introduced during the Ukraine war, which a former business minister has argued would not be 'necessary' or 'realistic' in the current climate. Amid the domestic policy announcement, Starmer also addressed the escalating geopolitical situation. He firmly declared that the UK 'will not be drawn into the wider war' in the Middle East, a statement that follows recent critical remarks from former US President Donald Trump. The Prime Minister's focus, he stated, remains on immediate measures to 'bring bills down now' rather than new North Sea oil exploration. The announcement follows calls for swift action, including from Scottish First Minister John Swinney, who urged the UK government to 'get a move on' with support. The government's targeted intervention acknowledges that while many households are protected by the energy price cap, those reliant on heating oil remain acutely exposed to volatile international markets.
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Sources
Keir Starmer: ‘Won’t wait while people struggle’: Keir Starmer announces £53m heating‑oil support for households amid Iran war - The Times of India
UK News: The UK government has unveiled a £53 million emergency support package to help vulnerable households struggling with soaring heating oil costs, as glo.
Keir Starmer slaps down Donald Trump at No10 press conference | Politics | News | Express.co.uk
Keir Starmer was quizzed by GB News on whether he will allow more exploration of the North Sea for oil. He says he is focused on things that can bring bills down now. ... The UK “will not be drawn into the wider war”, the Prime Minister has said at a press conference addressing the crisis ...
Support will be "targeted" to help low-income households in rural communities, Sir Keir Starmer said, although local councils will decide who qualifies and how the money is distributed. Some heating oil customers say their costs have doubled since the outbreak of the US-Israel war with Iran ...
Politics latest: Starmer announces energy bills support - as oil stays above $100 milestone | Politics News | Sky News
A former business minister who ... of support to cap energy bills in 2022 has said doing the same thing now is not "necessary" and is "unrealistic". Former Conservative cabinet minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg created a multi-billion pound blanket scheme following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, which sent gas prices skyrocketing. Speaking to Sky News today, the ...
The UK government rolled up its sleeves with energy bill subsidies on that occasion, and looks set to do so again now. It will need to be slightly more targeted support - many households are protected for now by the energy price cap, but those which rely on heating oil are far more exposed.
Starmer to pledge support for poorest homes to help with soaring energy bills amid Middle East crisis | The Independent
And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read more · Tens of millions of pounds will be set aside to support the poorest households with spiralling energy bills...
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