The government has promised tougher rules for heating oil, but households face another cold season with prices still high and no cap on bills in sight.
01Summary
- 01Ministers said they will work with industry to develop a regulatory regime for the heating oil market, with clearer compensation routes for customers.
- 02The Competition and Markets Authority found 1,700 households were forced to re-order at much higher prices or go without fuel after the war broke out.
- 03Heating oil prices have close to doubled in the past year, and some customers were quoted 111p a litre, according to one user in West Suffolk.
- 04The government has said minimum order levels of 500 litres for some consumers will be reviewed, while domestic tanks usually hold 1,000 to 2,000 litres.
- 05About 1.5 million households use heating oil, including 60% of homes in Northern Ireland, but they do not have the same protections as gas and electricity customers.
02Why it matters
The changes could affect the bills and protections of a large number of off-grid households, especially in colder months when heating oil is essential. But the story shows any rule changes may come too slowly to ease this winter's pressure.
Pulse AIAsk about this story
Answers are generated by AI from the story summary; they are not investment, health or legal advice.
