Households across the UK reliant on heating oil are taking on extra employment to cover soaring fuel costs, with one East Sussex resident forced to seek additional work for the winter months. Sheila Williams, who lives alone in a park home in Golden Cross, has taken a waitress job specifically to pay her heating bills after her oil costs doubled since the start of 2026. She expressed deep distress at the situation, saying words could not convey her upset.
Thousands of homes across Sussex are not connected to gas mains and depend entirely on oil for heating. According to industry figures, a household filling a 1,000-litre tank now faces a bill exceeding £970. Jon Reardon, director at Rye Oil which supplies 15,000 residents in south-east England, said the average oil price had doubled since the conflict in the Middle East began. Many customers are delaying oil orders as long as possible due to affordability concerns.
Some households have gone without heating altogether because of the cost. Nigel Wanstall from Sheffield Park said he could not afford to fill his oil tank and was instead relying on an open fire in his lounge and an electric blanket in bed for warmth. The rising costs have prompted debate in Westminster, with energy minister Polly Billington stating the government was reforming the heating oil sector and holding suppliers accountable.
The government has announced support measures for vulnerable households. A government spokesperson said the administration had pledged £53 million in support for vulnerable households on heating oil and removed the 4% tariff on home heating oil. Billington said the government was working to regulate the industry and give consumers confidence they would receive a fair deal, though these measures have not yet prevented hardship for those struggling with bills.
Rising heating oil costs mean households dependent on oil for warmth now face significantly higher winter bills, forcing some to seek additional employment or go without adequate heating to manage expenses.