West Worcestershire’s MP has welcomed confirmation that the competition regulator is carrying out a full review of companies supplying heating oil and LPG to rural homes.
Dame Harriett Baldwin said it followed her call for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to examine claims of profiteering by companies supplying heating oil and LPG to rural households.
The CMA has confirmed it is carrying out a full investigation into distribution and wholesale practices.
Dame Harriett Baldwin said: "I wrote to the Competition and Markets Authority sharing local evidence of significant shifts in supplier behaviour and I welcome the commitment that it is taking this evidence seriously.
"Local people are seeing major increases in their heating bills and although we are now heading into warmer weather, this is usually the time when people re-fill their tanks."
Worcestershire County Council has been allocated just under £500,000 to help local people with spikes in the costs of heating oil and LPG.
This funding is part of a wider £50 million government package.
She said she has urged the council to prioritise rural residents and deliver support quickly, as these households cannot access mains gas and are particularly vulnerable to price spikes.
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