UK government accepts CMA plan to strengthen heating oil protections

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 12:02 · Archive

The Department for Energy and Net Zero will strengthen regulation of heating oil suppliers following CMA recommendations.

The Department for Energy and Net Zero (DESNZ) has confirmed it will accept the Competition and Markets Authority's (CMA) recommendation to strengthen regulation in the heating oil sector, bringing stronger protections to heating oil customers across the UK.

Heating oil prices have risen sharply over the past six weeks. Current average prices are around 110-116p per litre for a 1,000-litre delivery, compared with roughly 86p per litre in August. For a typical 1,000-litre fill, households are now looking at roughly £1,150 to £1,220 including VAT, depending on supplier and postcode.

Polly Billington, Minister for Energy Consumers, said the government would 'reform the sector, holding heating oil suppliers to account and giving consumers confidence that they will get a fair deal'. The CMA found that whilst higher prices mostly reflected wholesale costs, consumers were not as well protected as those on the energy grid. Heating oil customers currently have no protection under Ofgem's energy price cap.

In its review, the CMA identified 1,700 households who were owed compensation after being forced to reorder heating oil at higher prices when their original orders were cancelled.

How it is being reported

• Suffolk heating oil customers could get stronger protections as prices soarHeating oil customers in Suffolk are set to receive stronger protections under new government plans.East Anglian Daily Times · 14 Oct, 11:30
• Suffolk heating oil customers could get stronger protections as prices soarHeating oil customers in Suffolk are set to receive stronger protections under new government plans.Ipswich Star · 14 Oct, 11:30

In this story: Department for Energy and Net Zero · Competition and Markets Authority · Polly Billington · Ofgem · UK

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