Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what new measures she is taking to reduce the cost of heating oil for residents in rural areas.

The Government published its formal response to the CMA heating oil report on 13 October, and is taking forward proposals to regulate the heating oil sector for the first time, making sure households who use heating oil are treated fairly. This will include developing options for a proportionate regulatory regime for the heating oil market, which will take time to get right, to ensure the best outcomes for consumers. In the meantime, we will work with industry to strengthen consumer protection measures in existing Codes of Conduct, which set rules for the sector. This is a clear indication of the Government’s commitment to create a fairer, more resilient and trusted heating oil market, which delivers stronger consumer protections while preserving competition and security of supply. The full response can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heating-oil-government-response-to-cma-market-study/government-response-to-the-cma-heating-oil-market-study.

In March, the Government announced £53 million of targeted support for low-income households that heat their homes with oil, including £27 million for English local authorities with high levels of heating-oil use. We continue to monitor prices and supply chains closely.