Claims of Unfair Practices by Heating Oil Suppliers in South-East England
Residents across south-east England have reported concerns that heating oil suppliers are engaging in unfair business practices.
Maria Norcott, a 66-year-old resident of Tonbridge, Kent, contacted BBC Your Voice to report that she had paid in advance for heating oil shortly before the outbreak of war in the Middle East.
Following the commencement of hostilities, Norcott stated that her supplier cancelled the scheduled delivery and informed her that she would need to either request a refund or repurchase the oil at a significantly increased price.
Wholesale Price Fluctuations Amid Iran and US-Israel Conflict
The UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA) explained that wholesale heating oil prices have been "moving quickly" due to the ongoing conflict between Iran and the US-Israel alliance.
"Because distributors buy almost daily, these shifts are reflected quickly in customer prices."
UKIFDA added,
"We have spoken to many distributors who, despite the very large price swings and increased demand, are honouring orders as quickly as they can."
Customer Experiences of Cancelled Orders and Price Increases
Norcott, who is retired, told the BBC that her supplier was unresponsive to phone calls and emails.
"They should honour their agreement,"she said.
"It is only fair."
She further commented that many customers might accept the higher prices out of desperation, noting,
"We're low on oil. That's our heating, our hot water - everything."
David Knight, residing near Charlwood in Surrey, reported a similar experience. His supplier cancelled a prepaid heating oil contract shortly after the war began.
Speaking to BBC Radio Surrey, Knight stated that the company then attempted to charge him double for the same delivery.
"It's price gouging - simple as that,"Knight said.
"We don't have a choice [but to buy heating oil]. There is nothing we can do."
He acknowledged that while the contract contained a clause permitting such actions, he considered it unfairly biased as price reductions were not passed on to customers.
"There's no projection in the system,"Knight continued.
"It does not benefit consumers [and] favours suppliers."
Since his interview with the BBC, Knight reported that his supplier agreed to honour the contract at the original price.
Political Response and Calls for Consumer Protection
Andrew Griffith, Member of Parliament for Arundel and South Downs, indicated that he had received reports from constituents whose heating oil orders were cancelled.
He noted,
"These are often the most vulnerable people, living often on their own and far away from the town."
Griffith added,
"I don't want to tar every business with the same brush by any means, but there is some profiteering."
The Conservative MP urged the government to establish a price comparison website for heating oil to enable consumers to shop around more effectively.
He also highlighted that, unlike electricity, heating oil prices are not subject to a price cap.
Government Stance Against Profiteering
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband told the BBC on Friday that the government would
"not tolerate"profiteering arising from the conflict.
He further stated that the competition watchdog was prepared to intervene to prevent
"rip-offs."
Contact and Engagement
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