WEST WORCESTERSHIRE MP Dame Harriett Baldwin has welcomed news that local customers will be able to access compensation after their heating oil deliveries were cancelled last winter only to face significantly higher quotes for a re-fill.
The MP contacted the Competition and Markets Authority on behalf of constituents who complained about the behaviour of oil and LPG suppliers after fuel prices rocketed during the start of conflict across the Middle East.
Dame Harriett also met with the CMA to directly press for action and this week it has confirmed that customers will be able to access compensation if suppliers breached their contract to deliver oil at a previously agreed price.
The CMA investigated and confirmed that number of suppliers have agreed to compensate affected consumers.
Those who paid more to replace their cancelled order will receive a payment covering the difference, while those who did not buy replacement oil will have their original orders honoured at the agreed price.
Dame Harriett said: “This is a victory for people living in rural areas who suddenly found themselves hit with massive rising fuel costs of heating oil while wholesale oil was sitting in depots bought at lower costs.
“Constituents shared with me tales of eye-watering price increases and clear evidence of price gouging and I made sure that the Competition and Markets Authority swiftly considered this local evidence.
“I am pleased that the regulator has acted on this matter but more widely I hope that the Government has heard the concerns of rural home and business owners who live off the grid and are only able to heat their homes through regularly refilled tanks.
“It is a complicated market and I hope that both the Government and the regulator keep a close eye on this matter as we head towards next winter and inevitable higher prices which we all face to stay warm in colder weather.”
