Heating Oil Faces Regulation as Prices Double in Past Year

Heating oil customers in the UK are facing higher bills with prices nearly doubling in the past year. The government has promised to enhance regulation, promote competition, and offer clearer compensation routes for consumers. They plan to review minimum order levels and develop a regulatory regime to protect consumers and foster competition. However, there is no proposal to apply an energy price cap similar to that on gas and electricity tariffs, nor a timeline for implementing new rules. Heating oil users have been offered discounts on heat pumps and a code of practice is in place, but current practices require some customers to order minimum amounts, often 500 litres, which can result in higher payments for unused oil. The situation remains a challenge for approximately 1.5 million households in the UK that rely on heating oil without the same protections as electricity and gas users. Ofgem's regulations, affecting gas and electricity in Great Britain, are separate from those in Northern Ireland where most heating oil consumers are located. The government intends to discuss recommendations with the Northern Ireland Executive.