ENERGY BILLS: New data shows 40% of people are afraid to get help after energy bills more than double — as Iran conflict threatens to push costs even higher

Energy bills in south Wales have more than doubled since 2008 — and new research suggests four in ten people are still too embarrassed or afraid to seek help when they can’t afford to pay.

Now, with the Iran conflict pushing wholesale gas prices sharply higher and a significant price cap rise expected in July, the situation could be about to get worse before it gets better.

British Gas Energy Trust, working with Age Cymru Dyfed, is bringing free drop-in advice events to four west Wales venues this month to help households get on top of their bills before that happens.

Sessions take place at Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli on 19 May, Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen on 20 May, Asda Llanelli on 27 May and Tesco Ammanford on 28 May — all running from 10am to 1pm and open to customers of any energy supplier.

The average domestic electricity bill in south Wales has climbed from £444 in 2008 to £1,129 — a rise of more than 150% in under two decades. South Wales households are among the hardest hit in the UK, with rural grid maintenance costs, higher heating demand and limited access to competitive tariffs all contributing.

Carmarthenshire families reliant on heating oil have faced some of the sharpest increases of all, with many paying triple what they once did — and rural communities have faced the additional threat of fuel theft as prices have rocketed.

The £150 average reduction applied automatically to bills from April offered some relief. But analysts at Cornwall Insight warn that the Ofgem price cap is on course to rise by around 20% in July — pushing the average annual bill from £1,641 to £1,973 — more than wiping out any April saving.

The driving force is the conflict in Iran. US and Israeli strikes against Iran began on 28 February 2026, prompting Iran to warn ships not to cross the Strait of Hormuz — a waterway that usually provides passage for around 20% of the world’s petroleum and liquefied natural gas supply. UK wholesale natural gas prices rose by roughly 75% between late February and late March as a result.

The government has responded with an energy package aimed at reducing the effect of higher gas prices on electricity bills, including offering voluntary long-term fixed contracts to low-carbon generators and raising the electricity generator levy from 45% to 55%. But the NIESR has warned the government has little fiscal space to provide anything like the £40 billion support package deployed during the 2022 energy crisis.

Swansea West MP Torsten Bell has written about the need to protect households from the economic fallout of the Iran conflict, while Citizens Advice Cymru has warned there is already no sign of easing in the cost of living crisis across Wales.

New research commissioned by British Gas Energy Trust found 40% of people still don’t seek help when struggling with bills. Stigma and embarrassment are the biggest barrier, cited by 38% of respondents — up from 33% the previous year. Others wrongly believe they won’t qualify for support (29%), or find the application process too daunting (17%).

It is in this context that the west Wales drop-in events take on added significance — offering a rare chance to get free, practical, face-to-face help at a time when many households are bracing for another difficult winter.

At the Llanelli, Carmarthen, Ammanford and Asda sessions, trained advisers will help with budget planning, managing energy debt, applying for debt write-off grants and accessing energy-saving measures. British Gas representatives will also be on hand to explain payment plan options and support schemes.

Tracey Talbot, Interim Chief Executive Officer at British Gas Energy Trust, said the partnership with local charities was designed to bring help directly into communities. “No one should feel alone in this — and we want people to know that help is not only available, but designed to work for them, wherever they are in life,” she said.

Daniel Barr, Senior Vulnerable Customer Lead at British Gas, said the first conversation with an adviser could make a real difference. British Gas has committed £140 million to help customers with energy bills since 2021 — the biggest voluntary support package from an energy company, it says.

Research also found 67% of people believe there should be more government and charity programmes to help manage rising energy costs. With the July price cap rise looming, the four events in west Wales this month may come at exactly the right moment for households already struggling to keep up.

Fuel theft fears: Rural Wales on alert as prices rocket and criminals circle

The warning has been issued by FUW Insurance Services Ltd after a dramatic spike in the cost of red diesel and heating oil linked to global instability.

In just a matter of weeks, red diesel prices have surged from around 67p per litre to 109p — a jump of more than 60% — while heating oil has in some cases more than doubled to around £1.30 per litre.

Carmarthenshire communities among hardest hit

The impact is being felt most sharply in rural parts of the Swansea Bay region — particularly across Carmarthenshire, where reliance on heating oil remains high.

Previous Swansea Bay News reporting has revealed just how exposed some communities are. In areas such as Llannon, Cross Hands and Pen-y-groes, around 69% of households rely on oil, while the figure stands at 65% in Abergwili, Llanegwad and Carmel. Even in places like Llanddarog, Llangyndeyrn and Ferryside, more than four in ten homes depend on oil.

That leaves thousands of households vulnerable to sudden price shocks — and increasingly, to criminals.

Fears of a surge in rural crime

Experts say spikes in fuel costs have historically gone hand-in-hand with a rise in theft — and farms are often prime targets.

Fuel tanks, agricultural machinery and storage units can all be vulnerable, with thieves able to strike quickly and cause serious damage in the process. Beyond the immediate financial hit, incidents can also lead to environmental harm if tanks are tampered with or fuel is spilled.

Dafydd Peredur Jones of FUW Insurance Services Ltd said:

“Rising fuel prices are placing additional pressure on rural communities, but they also increase the risk of theft.

We are urging farmers and rural residents to take proactive steps to protect their fuel supplies and remain vigilant.”

Not just farms in the firing line

The warning extends beyond agriculture.

Rural buildings such as churches, chapels, village halls and community centres — many of which rely on heating oil and may be left unattended — are also being urged to tighten security.

Simple steps like monitoring fuel levels, securing tanks and installing CCTV could make all the difference.

Part of a wider fuel crisis

The alert comes as pressure continues to build across the region.

Swansea Bay News has previously reported on growing fears over potential fuel rationing, alongside the real-world impact on businesses — including a Llanelli haulier facing staggering cost increases of up to £64,000 a week.

At the same time, families across rural communities have been hit hard by soaring heating bills, with some seeing costs triple in a matter of months. Rising prices have also been linked to a resurgence in heating oil theft incidents across Wales.

With global instability continuing to drive prices higher, communities across Carmarthenshire and the wider Swansea Bay region are now facing a double threat – sky-high costs and the growing risk of crime.

“Remain vigilant”

With no immediate sign of prices easing, the message from experts is clear: stay alert.

For many across rural south west Wales, fuel isn’t a luxury — it’s essential for heating homes, running farms and keeping businesses moving.

And as prices climb, protecting it has never been more important.

“HEATING CRISIS HITTING US HARD”: Carmarthenshire families ‘forced to pay triple’ as oil reliance laid bare

The figures have sparked calls for urgent action from independent Senedd candidate Carl Peters-Bond, who warned families are being left with “no choice but to absorb soaring prices.”

Villages among worst hit in Wales

Data highlighted by the BBC shows just how exposed parts of the county are:

• 69% of households in Llannon, Cross Hands and Pen-y-groes rely on oil
• 65% in Abergwili, Llanegwad and Carmel
• 41% in Llanddarog, Llangyndeyrn and Ferryside

Across Wales, around 7% of homes depend on oil — but that figure jumps dramatically in rural areas like Carmarthenshire.

Bills double — and supplies dry up

The warning comes as families across Wales report being left without heating or forced to pay sky-high prices.

In one case reported by the BBC, a family saw a £323 oil order cancelled — only to be forced to pay £750 elsewhere.

Meanwhile, a man in Garnant said his annual bill could soar from £1,000 to £3,000, adding: “The heating has gone off… I’m basically having to dress up and keep moving.”

“People have no choice”

Peters-Bond said the crisis is already biting in Carmarthenshire:

“This crisis is hitting Carmarthenshire directly. When two-thirds of households in some communities rely on oil, people have no choice but to absorb soaring prices.”

He said funding announced by the UK Government must be targeted at rural areas first.

£3.8m for Wales — but who gets it?

The UK Government has unveiled a £53 million support package for households hit by rising oil prices — with £3.8 million allocated to Wales.

But Peters-Bond warned the money must not get lost in bureaucracy:

“The UK Government has released funding — now the Welsh Government must make sure every penny of that £3.8m reaches the rural households who need it most.”

“Competition won’t fix this”

While industry bodies have welcomed a review into oil pricing, Peters-Bond said that won’t help families stuck off the gas grid:

“Rural families aren’t choosing oil because it’s cheap — they’re choosing it because they’ve been left without options. Competition only works when people can switch.”

Calls for urgent action

He is now calling for:

• Emergency financial support for oil-dependent households
• A major retrofit programme to help homes switch to cheaper, greener heating
• A long-term plan to reduce reliance on volatile oil markets

Global crisis hitting local homes

The surge in prices has been linked to rising global oil costs amid conflict in the Middle East — with experts warning the situation could worsen heading into winter.

And for many in rural Carmarthenshire, the message is clear: without urgent help, the coming months could be even tougher.

“You can’t copy-and-paste urban policies onto rural Wales,” Peters-Bond added.
“Carmarthenshire needs solutions designed for Carmarthenshire.”

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Police warn oil‑heated homes to secure supplies
Officers urge vigilance after a rise in thefts from outdoor tanks.

Most home insurance covers loss of domestic oil
New analysis shows 90% of policies include protection for stolen fuel.

Homeowners urged to check oil tanks
Environmental experts warn leaks can cause costly, avoidable pollution.

RURAL CRIME WAVE: Warning as ‘oil thieves’ target Welsh homes amid price spike

The alert comes as the UK Government confirmed a £3.8 million emergency funding boost for Wales to help families struggling with the “surging” cost of keeping their homes warm.

With kerosene prices currently double that of crude oil, rural homes have become a prime target for gangs who can drain a family’s entire winter supply in just minutes.

Former Welsh Conservative leader and farmer Andrew RT Davies has called for an urgent deployment of police resources to protect vulnerable communities from the “deeply concerning” threat.

Mr Davies, who represents rural areas in the Vale of Glamorgan, said: “It’s deeply concerning to hear thieves are seeking to profit off the back of heating oil price increases.”

He added: “Police resources must be deployed towards preventing this, and protecting rural communities across Wales. Officers serving rural communities work incredibly hard, but they need support and resources to protect against this threat.”

The Countryside Alliance has also re-issued its oil theft prevention guide, warning that thieves are “on the prowl” as the value of the fuel hits record highs.

The group warns that modern thieves are increasingly sophisticated, often using small pumps and vans to drain thousands of pounds worth of fuel in a single raid.

Unlike gas and electricity customers, those who heat their homes with oil are not covered by the energy price cap. This means rural households are exposed to more immediate and brutal price hikes without the same safety nets as those on the grid.

Many of the most vulnerable households in Wales are forced to pay an upfront lump sum to top up their tanks just to maintain basic heating and hot water.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that the new £50 million UK-wide support package will include £3.8 million specifically for Wales, distributed via the devolved government.

Ms Reeves said: “Heating oil prices have spiked sharply, and I know that for families in rural communities that is a real and urgent problem.”

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has also promised a crackdown on “unfair practices” in the industry, with plans to regulate the sector and introduce a new ombudsman.

The government intends to introduce new consumer protections, including a strengthened Code of Practice to provide greater flexibility on delivery volumes and improved price transparency.

A new “Priority Customers Register” is also being explored, which would ensure that vulnerable households are eligible for prioritised support during times of disruption.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has also been asked to remain “vigilant” across heating oil prices to tackle any unjustified increases or profiteering.

The funding boost follows other major support for Carmarthenshire, which recently saw a £10m boost for storm recovery after devastating floods.

Householders are being urged to take immediate steps to secure their tanks, including installing heavy-duty locks, motion-sensor lighting, and electronic oil level gauges that trigger an alarm if levels drop suddenly.

The Countryside Alliance also recommends that residents in isolated areas join local “Farm Watch” or “Rural Watch” schemes to share information on suspicious vehicles.

With winter drawing to a close but prices remaining volatile, the message from leaders is clear: stay vigilant and look out for your neighbours.

“The #carbontax has added more than 17 cents per litre to #gasoline in most #provinces, so drivers should see an immediate drop at the pump when the new rate takes effect on April 1.

“Households using #naturalgas or #heatingoil can also expect lower monthly bills. A new report by Desjardins Economics predicts the price of natural gas will fall 12.8 per cent between March and April.”
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