Overview
- Wholesale and retail heating oil prices surged early in 2026 after conflict in the Middle East, with average prices rising 64% from February to March and peaking at 123p per litre in April, prompting some suppliers to cancel orders.
- The Competition and Markets Authority pressed suppliers and on Friday secured agreements for affected customers to be compensated or to have their original orders honoured at the agreed price.
- Around 800 customers have already been contacted and eligible people who paid more for replacement deliveries will be reimbursed the difference on production of receipts and delivery notes.
- The CMA estimates affected consumers may have paid between £150 and £350 extra for replacement oil and says it will continue to work with remaining suppliers to finalise payments.
- About 1.5 million UK households rely on heating oil so this action, together with an existing £53m government support package and a £100 Northern Ireland voucher, targets costs faced by rural and off‑grid families.