MLA demands action over oil prices and food bank pressures

South Antrim Alliance MLA, John Blair, has expressed serious concern at the ‘staggering’ cost of home heating oil, warning that households across Northern Ireland are facing unacceptable financial pressure as winter approaches.

The latest figures from the Consumer Council show that the average cost of 500 litres of home heating oil is now over £500, while 900 litres costs almost £1,000.

Mr Blair has said: “The current cost of home heating oil is staggering, and I am deeply concerned about the impact this is having on families, older people and those already struggling with the cost of living. For many households, particularly in rural communities, home heating oil is not a luxury, it is an absolute necessity. Yet families are being faced with enormous bills simply to keep their homes warm.

“With winter approaching, these prices are placing an incredible strain on household budgets. People should not be left worrying about whether they can afford to heat their homes. I have raised this matter directly with Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald through an Assembly question, asking what consideration she has given to the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) recommendations on strengthening oversight of the home heating oil market.

“The CMA has identified important gaps in consumer protections and recommended stronger regulatory oversight, including greater monitoring of the market, improved standards for suppliers and additional safeguards for vulnerable customers. While international wholesale prices undoubtedly influence the cost of heating oil, that does not diminish the need for proper scrutiny, transparency and accountability within the market. Given that two thirds of households across Northern Ireland rely on home heating oil, it is vital that these recommendations are given serious consideration and that consumers are afforded appropriate protections. It is not unreasonable that the Utility Regulator protections, afforded to gas and electricity customers, should also be extended to oil consumers.

“I will continue to press for action on this issue. Households deserve reassurance that the market is operating fairly, that prices are subject to proper scrutiny and that everything possible is being done to protect consumers from further financial hardship. Keeping your home warm should never become an unaffordable burden.”

Meanwhile Mr Blair has described the latest findings in research done by anti-poverty charity, Trussell Trust, as deeply concerning, warning that far too many families are struggling to afford the basic essentials of everyday life. He also said that the daily dramas of political division and threats to bring down Government should not distract us from this real and worrying need which exists in our community in the 21st century.

New research released last week estimates that 180,000 people across Northern Ireland are at risk of needing to turn to a food bank, while 21% surveyed reported that their household had run out of food and could not afford to buy more in the past year. It also reveals that 35% of households with children, 36% registered as disabled and 39% of those with caring responsibilities have had so little to get by on they may have needed to use a foodbank.

Mr Blair has said : “These figures should concern every one of us. In 2026, it is simply unacceptable that so many individuals and families are struggling to put food on the table. Behind every statistic is a person, a family or a child facing real hardship. These are people making impossible choices between heating their homes, paying their bills and putting food on the table.

“Here in South Antrim, from Antrim and Randalstown to Ballyclare, Templepatrick and our surrounding rural communities, families are not immune from these pressures. Rising household bills, the cost of home heating oil and the price of everyday essentials are placing enormous strain on already stretched budgets. Perhaps most concerning is that this hardship is not confined to those who are out of work. The research shows that even people in employment are struggling to afford enough food. Working hard should provide a route out of poverty, not leave families still worrying about how they will afford their next meal.

He added: “I want to pay particular tribute to the incredible volunteers, charities, churches and community organisations, including Antrim and Newtownabbey Foodbanks as well as many local community groups, who continue to support people facing hardship across our constituency. Their compassion and dedication make a genuine difference to people’s lives. However, we cannot continue to rely on the generosity of volunteers and local communities to fill the gaps. Food banks provide an invaluable lifeline, but they should never have to become a permanent feature of our society.

“We can and we must do better. The Northern Ireland Executive and the UK Government both have important roles to play in ensuring that people have enough to live on, and we must see a coordinated approach that delivers real improvements for those who need support most. Northern Ireland politicians have a duty to focus on delivery, rather than the drama and threats to collapse Government of recent weeks, and commit to collaborative working to ensure outcomes for those most in need. It is sad, that without reform of our institutions, bad behaviour will continue to be rewarded whilst those dependent on political division wave their vetoes, with threats of stalemate, irrespective of the actual crises which exist in many homes.

“As we approach another difficult winter, we cannot lose sight of the very real struggles taking place behind closed doors in communities right across South Antrim.”