Rising oil prices create 'huge worry' as winter looms
Her concerns come as fears grow about the impact of rising oil prices on rural communities.
“The price can double overnight,” Cottle-Hunkin said. “There’s no equivalent Ofgem price cap on the heating oil.”
She said uncertainty was one of the biggest concerns for rural residents.
PA MediaWith colder weather approaching, she said many households could face difficult decisions over heating their homes.
“It’s like hundreds of pounds that people have got to find,” she said. “To fill up a tank with oil, it might be like £500 more that they’ve got to find that they weren’t expecting.”
The Liberal Democrat councillor urged anyone facing financial hardship to seek help through Devon’s Crisis and Resilience Fund, available through local district councils.
The fund is available to low-income households across Devon who experience a sudden financial shock, such as an unexpected bill, a drop in income, or difficulty paying for essentials including food, energy, water, housing costs or heating oil.