Politics · United Kingdom · 1 hr ago
Heating oil users promised stronger rules as prices remain high
About 1.5 million UK households use heating oil, and customers do not have the same protections as gas and electricity users.
Prices have risen sharply, with one customer in West Suffolk saying quotes had more than doubled in a year.
The government says it will develop stronger rules to protect customers and encourage competition.
It will also review minimum order levels, which can require some customers to buy 500 litres at a time.
Campaigners want heating oil included in a price cap, but the government has not proposed one or said when new rules will take effect.
Most heating oil users are in Northern Ireland, where regulation is separate, and 60% of households rely on it.
The UK government says it will engage with the Northern Ireland Executive as it considers the recommendations.
The government has promised stronger regulation of the heating oil market as customers face high prices.
Ministers say they will tighten rules, promote competition and provide clearer routes to compensation.
Heating oil prices are close to double their level a year ago, and some customers have been quoted 111p per litre.
Campaigners want protections such as a price cap or tax cuts, but the government has not proposed extending the existing energy price cap to heating oil.
About 1.5 million UK households rely on heating oil and do not have the same consumer protections as gas and electricity customers.
- Who
- The UK government and heating oil customers, including about 1.5 million households.
- What
- Ministers have promised stronger regulation, while customers and campaigners are calling for greater protection from high prices.
- When
- The BBC article was published on 12 October 2026. Heating oil prices are close to double what they were a year earlier.
- Where
- The UK, with most heating oil customers in Northern Ireland; the proposed regulation is likely to cover England, Scotland and Wales.
- Why
- Heating oil prices are high, and users do not have the same consumer protections as gas and electricity customers.
Heating oil campaigners and customers
UK government
Price protection
Heating oil campaigners and customers
Campaigners have called for heating oil customers to receive a price cap like gas and electricity customers.
UK government
The government has not proposed extending the price cap to heating oil.
Response to high prices
Heating oil campaigners and customers
Customers and campaigners have called for measures including tax cuts or a price cap.
UK government
Ministers have promised stronger regulation, but say they will work with industry to develop a regulatory regime.
Heating oil prices rose to close to double their level a year earlier.
The BBC reported the government’s promise to strengthen regulation of the heating oil market.
- Households relying on heating oil
- About 1.5 million
- Price change
- Close to double in the past year
- Customer quote
- 111p per litre
- Minimum order levels under review
- 500 litres for some consumers
- Typical domestic tank capacity
- 1,000 to 2,000 litres
- Northern Ireland reliance
- 60% of households use heating oil
What people are saying
develop a regulatory regime for the heating oil market, protecting consumers and promoting competition
off-grid households remain a major policy blind spot
Just putting regulation in place is not going to reduce the price for customers. What we would like to see is the VAT off heating oil or targeting that specifically.
Sources
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