Stories

Sat, 14 Mar 2026

Sat, 14 Mar 2026 'I was charged double for oil I already paid for'

Customers say they are facing inflated prices due to "unfair" practices from suppliers.

* Many people in south-east England have claimed that heating oil suppliers are engaging in unfair practices, such as cancelling prepaid contracts and charging inflated prices.
* One supplier cancelled a contract for 66-year-old Maria Norcott after the Iran-US conflict began, offering her a refund or repurchasing at a higher price.
* The UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA) said wholesale prices were rising due to the conflict, but distributors were honouring orders as quickly as they could.
* Some suppliers have been in touch with customers who spoke to the BBC, agreeing to honour their original contracts.
* MP Andrew Griffith has called for a price comparison website for heating oil and a price cap to be introduced, similar to electricity prices.
* Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the government would "not tolerate" profiteering from the conflict and the competition watchdog was primed to step in to prevent rip-offs.