Residents across Beverley and Holderness have reported sharp rises in heating oil prices, with some households seeing the cost of filling their tanks double.
The increase follows turmoil in global oil markets linked to the conflict involving Iran in the Middle East, which has pushed up wholesale oil prices and quickly fed through to heating oil costs.
Concerned about the impact on the rural communities he represents, former Energy Minister Graham Stuart MP launched a short survey on Friday at GrahamStuart.com/oil to gather evidence from households who rely on heating oil.
Early responses highlight the scale of the increases facing rural households.
Andrew from Middleton-on-the-Wolds told Graham the price he expects to pay has risen from 58p per litre to 120p per litre.
Kirsty in Preston said the cost of her next order has increased from £350 to £620.
Frances from Ottringham reported the cost of filling her tank rising from £600 to £1,200.
Danielle from Sunk Island said she had already paid the higher price this week at 120p per litre.
Keith in Cherry Burton was quoted £840 for 500 litres, compared with £297 previously.
Heating oil is used by around 1.5 million homes across the UK, many in rural areas not connected to the gas grid. Unlike mains gas and electricity customers, heating oil users are not protected by the energy price cap.
Graham has now joined Conservative MPs in writing to the Competition and Markets Authority calling for an urgent investigation into the heating oil supply market, citing concerns about price gouging, poor transparency and lack of competition.
At the same time Claire Coutinho MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, has written to the Government calling for mandatory price transparency so heating oil suppliers must publish their prices publicly.
Graham is also highlighting oil buying cooperatives, where neighbours combine orders to purchase heating oil in bulk at lower prices. One example locally is the Humber and Wolds Rural Action oil buying cooperative.
Graham Stuart MP said: “Many homes across Beverley and Holderness rely on heating oil, yet rural communities are too often forgotten when energy prices rise.
Families on oil don’t get to choose when they buy it. When the tank runs dry, they have to fill it, whatever the price.
That is why I launched this survey on Friday and acted immediately to raise these cases in Westminster. I welcome Claire Coutinho’s action and I have joined colleagues in asking the Competition and Markets Authority to investigate the market.”
Residents who rely on heating oil can share their experience below.
Claire Coutinho, Shadow Secretary of State for Energy, said: "Rural families are being fleeced by rip-off heating oil suppliers who are using the war in Iran to price gouge and I am glad that Graham is standing up for his constituents in Beverley and Holderness on this issue.
"Ed Miliband and the Government needs to make sure there is transparency in heating oil prices to protect consumers who have seen their bills double in less than a week. The Conservatives will always stand up for rural communities who are being ignored by this Labour government, which is why we have taken action where they won't be asking the CMA for an urgent investigation."
