Devon is to receive an additional £1.3 million from government to help eligible low-income households who rely on heating oil cope with rising fuel costs driven by global events.
Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, has welcomed the funding, which forms part of a £27 million national to the new Crisis and Resilience Fund. The funding is aimed at supporting rural communities, where households are more likely to depend on heating oil rather than mains gas.
Funding will be available from April 1 through Devon’s district councils, rather than directly by the County Council.
Work is already under way with district councils to confirm delivery arrangements, which are expected to be similar to the routes previously used for the Household Support Fund.
The increase in heating oil prices has been linked to ongoing global conflict involving Iran, which has pushed up fuel costs and added pressure on households already struggling with the cost of living.
Devon has been identified as a priority area because of the high number of homes dependent on heating oil, particularly in rural parts of the county.
The additional £1,303,439 will be paid to Devon County Council in the 2026/27 financial year as part of the local government funding settlement. It will sit alongside Devon’s wider Crisis and Resilience Fund allocation of £8.4 million a year for three years, which replaces the Household Support Fund from April 2026.
The Crisis and Resilience Fund is designed to support residents facing immediate financial crisis — such as being unable to afford heating or hot water — while also offering longer-term help through advice, housing support and community-based services.
Importantly, this support will be targeted at eligible low-income households who rely on heating oil. It is not available to all homes heated by oil, and eligibility criteria will apply.
Although the funding formally begins next financial year, the council is working with partners to release support as soon as possible for households in urgent need, while final arrangements for the Crisis and Resilience Fund are put in place.
Councillor Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin said:
“Rising global fuel costs are hitting rural households particularly hard, especially those who rely on heating oil and already face higher living costs.
“This additional funding will help people in acute need, but it also highlights how exposed rural communities are to international events beyond their control. Devon has significant hidden deprivation, and we will continue to press for long-term, preventative investment so people are not pushed into crisis when global shocks occur.
“We are also calling for heating oil to be properly regulated, as rural areas are disproportionately affected by fluctuations in international energy markets.”
Further details on how and when eligible households can apply will be shared by district councils once delivery arrangements are confirmed.