Plaid Cymru calls to expand support for households reliant on heating oil
Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS has warned that a number of households in Wales will not be eligible for support and will face hardship as a result.
Wales is set to receive £3.8m targeted to help vulnerable households in rural communities reliant on heating oil following a surge in prices because of conflict in the Middle East.
Eight per cent of households in Wales are reliant on heating oil, compared to an average of 3.6% across Great Britain.
During First Minister’s Questions in the Senedd, Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth MS sought clarity from the First Minister as to when the money is expected to be delivered given further hardship will be caused by rising costs.
Speaking in the Senedd Chamber, Rhun ap Iorwerth MS said:
“President Trump’s war against Iran has brought considerable volatility to the international energy markets which is hitting Welsh citizens in their pockets.
“Of course I welcome the UK Government’s announcement that £3.8 million will be available to support households in Wales reliant on heating oil, but I worry the lack of detail around this announcement will mean uncertainty and worry will continue.
“Will the First Minister update the Senedd on when this money will be distributed in Wales, and does she agree with me that any delay could cause further hardship given prices are raising daily? And while of course people who need the most help should be targeted first, many people not eligible for the Discretionary Assistant Fund will still face hardship – what steps is she therefore taking to push the UK Government to offer further support for them?”
