What is the Crisis and Resilience Fund and who gets the money?

It is a £53m government package for low‑income households that use heating oil. Local councils will verify eligibility and pay one‑off grants. The aim is to reduce immediate refill costs for off‑grid homes that sit outside the Ofgem price cap and face volatile delivery prices.

Does the heating oil support change the Ofgem price cap?

No. The Ofgem price cap covers mains electricity and gas tariffs, not heating oil. The support lowers out‑of‑pocket costs for oil‑heated homes but does not affect the formula or timing of the cap, which is set to reset again in July based on wholesale trends.

How could this fund affect UK inflation?

The grants ease household costs but do not change market prices, so direct CPI effects are limited. Indirectly, lower arrears and steadier budgets can support spending elsewhere. If liquid fuel prices fall later in spring, energy disinflation could resume, improving headline inflation momentum.

What should investors monitor next?

Watch wholesale prices for refined products, the July Ofgem price cap announcement, and any move to expand the crisis and resilience fund. Company updates from utilities on arrears and cash collection, plus regional retail sales in oil‑heated areas, will help gauge the fund’s real‑world impact.

How is this different from other energy help?

Many schemes flow through electricity or gas suppliers and link to the Ofgem cap. Oil‑heated homes often miss those. This fund targets them directly via councils, focusing on need rather than usage. It complements programmes like the Household Support Fund and Warm Home Discount.

Global Market Insights

UK Crisis and Resilience Fund March 18: Targeted £53m Heating Oil Aid

ByDanny Kontos March 18, 2026

The crisis and resilience fund will channel £53m in heating oil support through local councils to low‑income households. The move follows higher wholesale costs linked to Middle East risks and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. With the Ofgem price cap resetting in July, we assess how this targeted aid could shape UK energy bills, near‑term inflation, and utilities’ cash collection. Investors should track whether the package expands and how prices for liquid fuels evolve into spring and early summer.