Bulk-buying aims to cut heating bill

A number of “off gas” villages have already formed their own co-operatives to reduce the price of oil, which is more expensive than gas.

Now East Riding Council and Humber and Wolds Rural Community Council has set up their own scheme called YORSwitch, Cheaper Heating Oil Together.

Households have to pay a £20 annual membership fee, but 
organisers say they can get anything up to 5p a litre off the price of oil, which translates into £25 for 500 litres and £50 for 1000 litres.

Last year people with long-term health problems were able to get free oil and LPG, but the scheme has been discontinued this year.

Rural energy advice project officer Peter Hirschfeld said people had rung “in their droves” - including a woman who hadn’t had any oil in her tank for four years.

He said: “People on fixed incomes and particularly on pension credit are going to find it increasingly difficult to heat their homes.”

They need between six and a dozen people to get the scheme off the ground. Call 01430 430904.