Borders MP John Lamont has raised concerns about the sharp rise in the price of heating oil following the outbreak of war in Iran.
The MP said he has been contacted by residents across the Scottish Borders who report that the price of heating oil has at least doubled in recent days, causing significant worry for households that rely on oil to heat their homes. It has also been reported that some heating oil suppliers are refusing to quote a price prior to delivery, leaving customers uncertain about how much they will pay.
The Borders MP has written to the UK Government to ask what action will be taken and has also signed a letter, alongside 50 Conservative MPs, to the Chief Executive of the Competition and Markets Authority raising concerns about predatory practices and the lack of competition in the heating oil market.
John Lamont MP said:
"I have heard from people across the Borders who are extremely concerned about the sharp rise in heating oil prices over the past few days.
"Many households in our rural communities rely on heating oil, and reports that prices have doubled in such a short space of time are deeply worrying.
"I have written to the UK Government to ask what action will be taken, and have also written to the Competition and Markets Authority to ask what action they will take to address this situation. Companies should not be profiteering from the conflict in the Middle East.
“I will be meeting the Minister later this week to discuss this further.”
