A spotlight on the cost-of-living crisis in the countryside: Heating your home

The cost-of-living crisis in the countryside is having a large impact. With four million homes off the gas grid network relying on alternatives to heat their homes, the rising cost of these fuels is having a devastating impact on household finances, given the higher proportion of harder to heat homes in rural areas.

The Government has put a number of measures in place to support all households, and in October everyone will start receiving a deduction of £400 off their energy bills to help throughout the winter period. For those on the main gas grid, it helps support both electricity and gas bills. However, there is very little support for those four million households who are at the mercy of having to use alternative fuels to heat their homes and are required to pay upfront for their fuel. These households have seen prices rise by more than 90% year on year. The Fuel Bank Foundation has found that 1,000 litres of oil now cost on average £937.16, compared to £480 in March last year.

Unlike electricity and mains gas supply, which are regulated and offer consumers a level of price and supply protection, the alternative fuel market is currently unregulated, leaving consumers exposed to higher fuel costs, with oil prices fluctuating daily.

The Countryside Alliance believes the Government must do more to support those households who are off the gas grid network but we need your help to compile the evidence. If you are off the gas grid network and rely on alternative fuel, please take part in our short survey.