Almost 1.4 million homes are facing an instant £600-plus rise in heating oil costs amid claims of 'shameful behaviour from rogue suppliers'. Latest figures show the bulk price of heating oil – the main source of warmth for 'off-grid' homes in rural areas – has doubled within a week to over £1.23 per litre. Shadow Energy Minister Claire Coutinho has now accused domestic suppliers of using the crisis as cover to 'price gouge' heating oil customers. In a letter to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband she writes: 'Families are reporting shameful behaviour from rogue heating oil suppliers which can only be described as blatant profiteering. Distributors' trade group UKIFDA says the spike has been caused because heating oil, like jet fuel, is kerosene-based.

Source: Daily Mail March 08, 2026 18:22 UTC