James Wild MP has joined colleagues in signing a letter to the Competition and Markets Authority demanding an urgent investigation into unfair pricing, lack of transparency, and local monopolies within the heating oil market.
The joint letter outlines how vulnerable rural households are being exploited through sudden price spikes and systemic overcharging on automatic delivery schemes. MPs have received concerning reports of suppliers cancelling existing bookings only to offer the same delivery on the same day at twice the original price.
It further highlights the unacceptable treatment of elderly customers on automatic top-up schemes, who often discover they have been charged up to 50% above prevailing market rates without prior consent.
Commenting on the campaign, James said:
“Many families in North West Norfolk rely on heating oil to keep their homes warm. With significant increases in prices and reports of unfair practices, I’ve joined 50 Conservative MPs calling on the Competition and Markets Authority to look urgently at this issue.”
