Heating oil financial support

That this House notes with concern the ongoing price shocks rural residents that rely on heating oil and LPG are facing; appreciates the Government’s offer of financial support for the most vulnerable; is anxious about whether the package will alleviate the pressures rural residents face right now, especially since only £1.16 million will be allocated to Somerset despite around 40% of households in Glastonbury and Somerton being off-the-gas grid; further notes the lack of information over the process used to determine who is in genuine need of support; also notes the lack of tailored support provided to councils to ensure that they are ready to act quickly to support rural households needs; regrets the lack of clarity over whether the additional funding will be ring-fenced under the Crisis and Resilience Fund to only support those in need with domestic fuel issues; once again calls on the Government to provide urgent targeted support for rural communities by introducing a three-month zero-rating of VAT on heating oil for residential homes and to develop a price cap to protect households reliant on heating oil from sudden price rises; and finally further calls on the Government to reduce long-term energy costs by upgrading homes, starting with free insulation for low-income households and ensuring that all new homes are built to zero-carbon standards.