Help for households using heating oil

The Scottish Emergency Oil Heating Scheme will launch on Wednesday 1 April 2026. Details on who can get help and how to apply will be announced in the coming days. 

The Scottish Government will add £5.4 million to the £4.6 million provided by the UK Government.  

Around 6% of households in Scotland rely on alternative fuels, with rural and island areas disproportionately affected. It’s estimated that approximately 142,000 Scottish households use heating oil.

Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said:

"Since the conflict in the Middle East erupted, we have been calling on the UK Government to take action on spiralling oil prices. It is disappointing that the Prime Minister has been slow to act."

"While welcome, the limited support announced by the UK Government yesterday equates to only £33 per household using oil heating. This does not go far enough."

"That is why the Scottish Government is announcing today we will more than double the amount available to support Scottish households struggling with heating oil prices. We will commit an additional £5.4 million on top of the £4.6 million allocated by the UK Government.”