To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any targeted support for off-grid homes reliant on oil heating.

The Warm Healthy Homes Strategy 2026–2036 sets out a longterm, crossgovernment approach to tackling fuel poverty, including the needs of households that are off grid and reliant on home heating oil and other unregulated fuels.

While there is no scheme targeted exclusively at offgrid oilheated homes, the Strategy includes a Strategic Action to research barriers and opportunities for more affordable oil payment options, including oil-buying networks, to assess ways of improving these for oil users.

The Strategy commits to improve understanding of any supply issues experienced by those reliant on oil and solid fuel and ensure these customers are not forgotten or left behind. It further undertakes to work closely with partners as schemes launch to maximise take-up from rural areas where households are reliant on unregulated oil and solid fuels.

My Department delivers the Affordable Warmth Scheme (AWS) for owner occupiers and those in the private rented sector most at risk of fuel poverty. The scheme is directed at low-income households and not specifically targeted to off-grid homes reliant on oil heating. It provides a range of energy-efficiency improvement measures including cavity and loft insulation, new and replacement heating systems and windows, where appropriate.

Work is also underway on developing the new Warm Healthy Homes Fund that will replace the AWS. It will provide support to low-income households experiencing fuel poverty, offering a range of measures including insulation, low carbon heating solutions and renewable technologies. The Fund will be open to applications from all households that meet the eligibility criteria, including those off-grid homes reliant on oil heating.