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Heating oil customers face tough winter despite shake-up promise
Ministers will introduce a code of conduct and clearer compensation routes as 1.5 million households rely on heating oil, officials said.
- The Government announced plans to regulate the heating oil market, formally accepting recommendations from the Competition and Markets Authority to strengthen industry standards and ensure fair consumer treatment.
- Market volatility following the Middle East conflict sent heating oil costs to record highs, exposing gaps in consumer protection as heating oil users currently lack the price cap safeguards afforded to mains gas and electricity customers.
- Some 1.5 million households depend on heating oil, with officials reviewing industry practices requiring minimum order volumes of 500 litres that force consumers to purchase more than they may need.
- Ofgem will likely regulate the sector in England, Scotland, and Wales, while the Government said it would "engage with the Northern Ireland Executive as they consider these recommendations in parallel."
- Boiler Juice chief executive Tim Buckman argued regulation alone will not reduce prices, calling instead for VAT cuts or price cap extensions, a demand also made by charity National Energy Action.
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Total News Sources17
Leaning Left3Leaning Right0Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution62% Center
Bias Distribution
- 62% of the sources are Center
62% Center
L 38%
C 62%
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