Heating oil support 'needs to be delivered now'

News that the Chancellor Rachel Reeves is to offer a package of support to households struggling with higher heating oil costs is "a relief, but it needs to be delivered to people now," a group that represents carers in Northern Ireland has said.

Almost two-thirds of homes (62.5%) in Northern Ireland use oil for heating - the highest proportion of UK nations.

Prices have risen sharply in recent weeks due to the global impact of the US-Israel war in Iran.

On Thursday, the average price of 500 and 900 litres of home heating oil respectively was £596 and £1,037 respectively.

That compares to £307 and £536 two weeks earlier.

In an interview with the Times, Reeves said she has "found the money" to help, adding the Treasury is also looking at "different options" to help those most vulnerable to soaring energy bills.

Joleen Cunningham, of Carers NI, told BBC News NI: "People will want to see this relief delivered quickly and speedily because they need it now.

"People are struggling, I know from my line of work that carers are struggling to make ends meet.

"They are struggling with heating costs, they're more likely to use energy and oil because of the vulnerable people that they're caring for.

"So their costs and their pockets will be feeling very pinched."

She added: "How will that money translate to Northern Ireland?

"Will the executive ring-fence it for the purposes for which it's intended?"

Megan Stith of Barnardo's NI said any help offered should not be short-term.

"It's incredibly important to us that families, especially children of all ages, get sustainable heating in their homes," she said

"We're looking at a cost of living crisis and families having to choose between feeding their children and heating their homes

"We're seeing some real concerns about children's physical and emotional well-being.

"So we welcome any kind of solution, but [want] a very long and sustainable solution to the heating crisis."

Aghalee pensioner, Pauline Buller, told BBC News NI that "most people would say it is welcome because the prices have gone up massively".

She added: "They're going to have to have some method of deciding who's eligible and who's not, I really don't see how she can help a great deal.

"Suddenly she's found the money which is all well and good.

"Is it better to give a few people a substantial amount to help them or is better to give more people a smaller amount?

"I don't know how she's going to make those those sort of decisions so we'll have to wait and see."

In Belfast city centre on Saturday, one woman told BBC News NI that "any help for households would be more than welcome".

"In the past it's always traditionally been people on benefits that got the help, but I think that misses out people who are out earning and things are still really tight for us.

"It's at the stage now where it's nearly cheaper to go into work instead of work from home rather than heat your house.

"It's OK saying put a cardigan and that sort of thing on, but your house gets damp if you don't heat it

"If you get a cold snap you risk your pipes bursting so it's not always an option just to do things like that."

A government spokesperson said: "We know that people are concerned about the potential impact of global conflicts on the cost of living."

They added: "While it is too soon to know the full impact of this crisis, as the chancellor said, she will take the necessary decisions to help families with the cost of living and protect the public finances."

Since the start of the US and Israel's assault in Iran, households using heating oil have seen their bills double, orders cancelled - and some have been unable to get heating oil at all.

"We've worked through with MPs and others a response for people who are not protected by the energy price cap," Reeves told the Times.