Solihull West & Shirley MP, Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst, has joined the Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch, and senior Conservative colleagues in calling for an urgent investigation into the heating oil market following reports of sharp price increases for rural households.
In a letter sent to the Chief Executive of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Conservative MPs raised concerns that some families have had existing heating oil deliveries cancelled and then rebooked at dramatically higher prices.
Households, particularly in rural areas where many homes rely on heating oil, are facing bills of hundreds of pounds simply to keep their homes warm.
The letter calls on the CMA to launch an urgent investigation into the heating oil supply market, including reports of price gouging during the recent Iran crisis, a lack of price transparency in local markets, and concerns about automatic delivery schemes where customers may be charged inflated prices without clear notice.
Commenting on this, Neil said:
“Families should not be exploited simply because they rely on heating oil to heat their homes. Reports of deliveries being cancelled and rebooked at dramatically higher prices are deeply concerning, particularly for older and vulnerable residents.
That is why I have joined colleagues in urging the Competition and Markets Authority to launch an urgent investigation to ensure consumers are protected.”
