Heating oil customers who were left out of pocket after suppliers cancelled orders and charged higher prices when the US-Iran war commenced will receive compensation.
The move follows a Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation into the heating oil market, which found consumers had been unfairly affected by cancelled orders and recommended reforms to better protect rural households.
John Lamont MP raised the issue with UK Government ministers before the parliamentary recess.
The UK Government has now confirmed that customers who paid more after their original orders were cancelled will receive compensation covering the difference, while those who did not buy replacement oil will have their original orders honoured at the agreed price.
Borders MP John Lamont said: “This is positive news for heating oil customers across the Borders.
“Too many local families that rely on heating oil to heat their homes were left unfairly out of pocket when the war in the Middle East began.
“It is only right that those affected are compensated and that action is taken to ensure this cannot happen again.
“I also welcome the CMA's recommendations to strengthen protections for rural consumers and will continue pressing the Government to ensure they are implemented.”
