Breathing risk as heating oil price surge hits rural couple

A woman whose husband is unable to breathe in cold air has said she is worried they cannot heat their home following huge price hikes for heating oil due to the US war against Iran.

- NICOLE WOOTTON-CANE

Gail Thompson, 66, and her husband Steve, 71, live in rural Kent, and paid £328 for their last delivery of 500 litres of heating oil in January. On Thursday, they were quoted £717 for the same delivery following huge spikes in costs following the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.

Ms Thompson told The Independent her husband’s chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary fibrosis (PF) make breathing in cold air incredibly difficult, and could kill him if they are left without heating.

The couple has around 380 litres of heating oil left - enough to last a month, or several, depending on the temperature - and are trying to turn the heating on as little as possible to conserve their supply. But Ms Thompson said her husband’s illnesses mean that sometimes they have no choice but to turn it on.