Northern Ireland MPs met a Treasury minister on Wednesday to discuss responses to sharp increases in home heating oil prices. The meeting included MPs from rural areas of Britain with notable oil heating use.

In Northern Ireland 62.5 percent of homes use oil for heating the highest share among UK nations. Heating oil prices have more than doubled since a US attack on Iran. The sector remains unregulated exposing customers directly to global price shifts. Gas households avoided these increases due to market regulation.

Samantha Gallagher of the Rural Community Network in Cookstown stated families in rural areas have run out of oil and cannot afford to buy more at current prices. She cited a price rise in the Causeway Coast and Glens area from £285 to £509 reported at a recent rural residents forum.

Gallagher said rural families face impacts from overnight price jumps given their limited financial reserves and few heating alternatives. Many rural areas lack gas networks. Public transport limitations there increase reliance on personal vehicles.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said the talks will consider additional steps. She confirmed the government tasked the Competitions and Markets Authority with examining potential price gouging by oil suppliers.

Stormont Finance Minister John O'Dowd stated the Executive lacks funds for a substantial consumer support package. He called on the chancellor to aid Northern Ireland households.

The UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association said members face difficulties from price volatility and demand. It noted distributors are fulfilling orders promptly under CMA oversight.