Households relying on heating oil have seen their bills double, orders cancelled – and some have been unable to get heating oil at all – since the US and Israel began their assault in Iran.
About 1.7 million households in England and Wales rely on kerosene for heating and hot water but, unlike gas and electricity, prices are not capped and are subject to volatility.
Nicki Weetman from Sturminster Newton, Dorset, is undergoing chemotherapy so needs to keep warm but says she is rationing her use after a supplier cancelled their delivery.
Boiler Juice, an intermediary website which took the order on behalf of supplier Tincknell Fuels, said the industry aimed to prioritise deliveries for vulnerable customers and urged the Weetmans to get in touch.