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Heating oil customers face tough winter despite shake-up promise
The plan adds supplier standards, clearer pricing and compensation routes after prices nearly doubled, while ruling out a price cap.
- 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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Calls for more support for thousands of homes relying on heating oil
The Government is being urged to provide financial support for households relying on heating oil as costs soar. Around 23,000 homes in Northumberland are not connected to the mains gas supply and use oil systems to stay warm during the winter months.
·Hexham, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources22
Leaning Left3Leaning Right0Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution70% Center
Bias Distribution
- 70% of the sources are Center
70% Center
L 30%
C 70%
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