So the discretionary fund is.....**drumroll**.......£100 measly quid!?

mmmmikey

This makes interesting reading - if it's true then (a) payment will be early in new year, and (b) payment will not be made automatically to those living in an area where gas is available and those people will have to apply:

https://www.grampianonline.co.uk/news/north-east-households-will-receive-heating-oil-payment-early-295095/

dunstonh

With the dollar falling and China continuing to be in decline, the oil price may already be at a level where it is hard to justify taxpayer support.  it is already around 40p lower a litre compared to earlier in the year when there was no support.

NedS

dunstonh said:

With the dollar falling and China continuing to be in decline, the oil price may already be at a level where it is hard to justify taxpayer support.  it is already around 40p lower a litre compared to earlier in the year when there was no support.

True, but people may not be filling up their tank now, they may have filled their tank in the middle of October as it started turning colder and prices were above £1 per litre, or worse yet were caught out last March at £2 per litre.

That's the issue with oil - you have to pay the price it is at the time you need it and cannot benefit from fixed pricing of pound cost averaging to smooth the price.

mmmmikey

Whatever the rights and wrongs of it I'd be very surprised if this didn't get paid out. Politically, it would be very difficult to promise it, increase the amount and then abandon the scheme altogether. I can see it being a really messy process though with lots of angst and frustration. But who knows?

Jaybee_16

Included in an email from Boiler Juice this morning. 

This week it was confirmed the Alternative Fuel Payment of £200 will be made in the New Year, for many this may still be paid via their electricity provider, however, more details are expected soon. 

UKIFDA, the trade body for the liquid fuel distribution industry, welcomed this update "This extra clarity is important as it means customers can plan their budgets accordingly". Going on to advise "We continue to strongly advise customers to purchase their heating oil as usual ahead of cold weather."

Qyburn

NedS said:

dunstonh said:

With the dollar falling and China continuing to be in decline, the oil price may already be at a level where it is hard to justify taxpayer support.  it is already around 40p lower a litre compared to earlier in the year when there was no support.

True, but people may not be filling up their tank now, they may have filled their tank in the middle of October as it started turning colder and prices were above £1 per litre, or worse yet were caught out last March at £2 per litre.

That's the issue with oil - you have to pay the price it is at the time you need it and cannot benefit from fixed pricing of pound cost averaging to smooth the price.

Out of interest, where were these figures seen? 
Aberdeenshire price was not quite £1/litre in March and April, and the absolute highest was £1.03 in June. All figures for 500L and ex VAT. 

NedS

Qyburn said:

NedS said:

dunstonh said:

With the dollar falling and China continuing to be in decline, the oil price may already be at a level where it is hard to justify taxpayer support.  it is already around 40p lower a litre compared to earlier in the year when there was no support.

True, but people may not be filling up their tank now, they may have filled their tank in the middle of October as it started turning colder and prices were above £1 per litre, or worse yet were caught out last March at £2 per litre.

That's the issue with oil - you have to pay the price it is at the time you need it and cannot benefit from fixed pricing of pound cost averaging to smooth the price.

Out of interest, where were these figures seen? 
Aberdeenshire price was not quite £1/litre in March and April, and the absolute highest was £1.03 in June. All figures for 500L and ex VAT. 

I plucked the figures from BoilerJuice charts for oil prices in Wales (where I live), which showed prices peaked at 208.95p per litre in March 2022. I doubt many actually paid that - I needed oil at that time and BoilerJuice were unable to take my order, but that's the historical price they are showing. By the time they were accepting orders it had dropped well below 200p per litre

Qyburn

I presume Boilerjuice is competitive in your area. Round here, today, they're 20p/L more expensive that local suppliers.

NedS

Qyburn said:

I presume Boilerjuice is competitive in your area. Round here, today, they're 20p/L more expensive that local suppliers.

Yes, my local supplier will not price match BoilerJuice who are normally a few pence per litre cheaper.

ccluedo

NedS said:

Qyburn said:

I presume Boilerjuice is competitive in your area. Round here, today, they're 20p/L more expensive that local suppliers.

Yes, my local supplier will not price match BoilerJuice who are normally a few pence per litre cheaper.

Boiler Juice dearer than locals here without fail over quite a few years.