Government vows tighter rules for heating oil amid soaring winter bills

Facing winter bills that have almost doubled, heating-oil customers have been promised stronger government oversight. Energy minister Polly Billington said the administration will develop a regulatory regime that safeguards consumers and encourages competition, while reviewing mandatory order sizes that can force households to buy more oil than needed. The £53 million aid scheme for low-income users, distributed by local authorities, was introduced in March, and the Competition and Markets Authority’s report on price spikes has been adopted.

Existing measures include heat-pump discounts and a voluntary code of practice, but officials have not offered a price-cap like that applied to gas and electricity. Industry bodies such as Boiler Juice call for VAT relief, and charities urge broader protections, especially for off-grid households in regions like Northern Ireland where regulation differs.