In a letter to the UK and Ireland Fuel Distributors Association, Miliband and Energy Minister Michael Shanks said they had spoken to the CMA, which would “gather evidence on the situation in the market and look at whether consumers are being treated fairly”.
The ministers said their expectation was pricing should be “fair, transparent and fully justifiable”, and reminded distributors they remain subject to consumer‑protection and competition law.
Emma Cochrane, acting executive director for consumer protection at the CMA, said: “We know the situation in the Middle East is putting pressure on heating oil prices, and we recognise that this will worry people who may find it hard to afford these extra costs.”
She said the CMA would generally expect customers who had placed orders to receive heating oil at the agreed price.
“Suppliers should be clear what they are charging and terms must be fair,” she added. “We won’t hesitate to take action if we suspect that consumer or competition law is being broken.”