21/10/2026
My latest column for Your Local Paper was published today, and in it I wrote about the Government’s £53 million heating oil support package to help heating oil reliant households with the increased costs due to the conflict in the Middle East, the Government’s plans to regulate the heating oil sector to ensure customers have stronger protections, and my recent meeting with West Norfolk Community Transport to discuss their rural dial-a-bus service.
Your Local Paper - 21st October 2026
Thousands of households in West Norfolk rely on heating oil, and when global tensions and conflict in the Middle East caused heating prices to soar, residents were forced to cancel orders or pay the increased prices, despite in many instances those orders being placed months earlier.
Immediately following the start of the conflict, I made clear to Government Ministers – rural Britain cannot be left uniquely vulnerable when global energy shocks hit. I called for a financial support package to help West Norfolk households with the increased prices and for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to better protect heating oil customers in
the future.
In March, I was pleased when the Government launched a £53 million national heating oil support fund for households affected by soaring heating oil costs, with Norfolk receiving one of the largest allocations in the UK - £3 million.
Last week, I was delighted that the Labour Government confirmed its plans to regulate the
heating oil sector for the first time. Guided by CMA recommendations, this will ensure a fairer deal, stronger protections and strengthened consumer rights for off-grid households.
With many households currently placing heating oil orders ready for the winter, I would urge you to apply to the heating oil support fund which is still accessible and will be until at least March 2027.
If you are uncertain about eligibility or have any questions, please get in touch. My office and
I have helped many South West Norfolk residents access these funds over the past few months.
I fought hard to ensure this money was there for South West Norfolk residents struggling to afford the increases, and I want as many people locally as possible to benefit from it.
To access the Government’s heating oil support package, you can apply via Norfolk County
Council:
https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/article/41970/How-to-apply-for-support-from-the-Crisis-andResilience-Service
Telephone: 0344 800 8020
Please remember that support is based on individual hardship and circumstances, not simply whether somebody receives benefits. I have seen support provided to working households, pensioners, and others who do not usually qualify for financial support.
Last week, to mark Community Transport Week 2026, I met with West Norfolk Community Transport (WNCT) to discuss the vital services they provide for residents across South West Norfolk.
Through the Rural Dial-a-Bus service, WNCT provides a range of safe, affordable, prebooked, door-to-door transport services for people with increased levels of social isolation, or who are unable to access public transport due to location, age, or mobility issues. They also provide transport services for residents needing to access medical treatment at local hospitals and GP surgeries.
WNCT covers many South West Norfolk towns and villages including Northwold, Methwold, Upwell, Outwell, Welney, Downham Market, and Swaffham, amongst others.
I am deeply grateful to the incredible team at WNCT for the services they provide to our rural communities, and the work they do to support connectivity, target rural isolation, and combat loneliness.
To learn more about their services, please visit: https://westnorfolkct.co.uk
