Securing our long-term energy supply, bringing down bills and halving inflation.
Miatta Fahnbulleh
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
Oral Answers to Questions is a regularly scheduled appearance where the Secretary of State and junior minister will answer at the Dispatch Box questions from backbench MPs
Other Commons Chamber appearances can be:Westminster Hall debates are performed in response to backbench MPs or e-petitions asking for a Minister to address a detailed issue
Written Statements are made when a current event is not sufficiently significant to require an Oral Statement, but the House is required to be informed.
Department for Energy Security & Net Zero does not have Bills currently before Parliament
A Bill to make provision about Great British Energy.
This Bill received Royal Assent on 15th May 2025 and was enacted into law.
e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.
If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.
If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).
Make all forms of 'geo-engineering' affecting the environment illegal
Gov Responded - 21 May 2025 Debated on - 23 Jun 2025We want all forms of geo-engineering to be illegal in the UK. We do not want any use of technologies to intervene in the Earth's natural systems.
Advertisements encourage the use of products and sponsorship promotes a positive reputation & creates a social licence of trust & acceptability. In 2003 a ban on all tobacco advertising was introduced and has arguably worked. I believe continued fossil fuel usage will kill more people than smoking.
As per the Code of Conduct for Special Advisers, where a special adviser wishes to undertake work for a political party which does not arise out of government business they may do this either in their own time, outside office hours, or under a separate contract with the Party, working part-time for the Government. They may not use annual or unpaid leave for this purpose. Individual contractual arrangements are a confidential matter.
The Government supports the industry-led Energy Skills Passport, overseen by RenewableUK and Offshore Energies UK. The Passport supports oil and gas workers to identify routes into offshore wind roles. The Government continues to support its expansion, including additional offshore and onshore wind roles and career pathways.
The North Seas Energy Cooperation is the framework for regional energy cooperation at European level in the North Seas and is therefore not the appropriate forum to raise national issues of this kind.
The Energy Skills Passport (ESP) is industry-led. Offshore Energies UK and RenewableUK jointly run the ESP on behalf of industry and manage its Steering Group. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero sits on the Steering Group as a strategic partner, alongside the Scottish Government and a range of other stakeholders including training bodies, industry employers and trade unions. The Government has supported the ESP through grant funding, advice and stakeholder engagement. The ESP will be a tool that the North Sea Jobs Service can draw upon to support oil and gas workers moving into growing industries across the Government’s industrial strategy sectors. Further information will be provided once the service is launched.
This project is at the pre-application stage and an application for development consent is expected to be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in June 2027. The applicant will provide information about how any interested party can get involved with engagement and consultation activities. This enables interested parties to influence the application before it is sent to the Planning Inspectorate. There will then be a full planning examination in the usual way in which all these issues will be considered.
Given the Secretary of State's quasi-judicial role in taking decisions on applications for development consent for energy infrastructure proposals, it would not be appropriate for the department to comment on specific matters related to the proposals, as this could be seen as prejudicing the decision-making process.
Ofgem is not charging a fee for registration and will not charge any fees from authorised heat networks until 2028 at the earliest.
Ofgem is initially recovering the costs of heat network regulation through license fees paid by certain gas and electricity licensees. After this time, the cost of regulation will be spread across the gas, electricity and heat network sector.
In April Ofgem consulted on how they will recover the portion of regulatory costs falling on Heat Networks. This included proposals for smaller networks, how the proportion of fees for each organisation should be calculated and how often they should be collected. The link to the consultation can be found on Gov.UK and a response will be published in due course.
We will negotiate an electricity agreement with the EU with the aim of cutting electricity trading costs, strengthening energy security, driving North Sea investment and helping to achieve our Clean Power 2030 Mission.
The European Commission has a mandate to seek a UK financial contribution as part of any additional Internal Market access, including participation in the Internal Electricity Market. The Government is engaging to understand the EU’s proposal. No contribution has been agreed, and any UK financial contribution would be subject to negotiations. Any agreement must be in the UK’s interest and deliver value for money.
The Government published its formal response to the CMA heating oil report on 13 October, and is taking forward proposals to regulate the heating oil sector for the first time, making sure households who use heating oil are treated fairly.
Getting this approach right will take time, to ensure the best outcomes for consumers. In the meantime, we will take practical steps to strengthen consumer protections without delay. Working across government, Ofgem and with industry and consumer groups, we will seek improvements to existing codes of practice, promote access to existing appropriate dispute resolution mechanisms, and increase consumer awareness of available support.
The full response can be found here: Government response to the CMA heating oil market study - GOV.UK.
Ofgem, as the independent energy regulator, is responsible for regulating electricity Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) and holding them accountable for their obligations, including the Guaranteed Standards of Performance. Ofgem collects DNO performance data through Regulatory Instructions and Guidance and Regulatory Reporting Packs, including information on delivery against these standards. Where concerns or evidence regarding the accuracy of records are raised, Ofgem can consider these as part of its regulatory oversight of DNOs and determine whether further action is appropriate.
Ofgem, as the independent energy regulator, is responsible for regulating electricity Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) and holding them accountable for their obligations, including the Guaranteed Standards of Performance. Ofgem collects DNO performance data through Regulatory Instructions and Guidance and Regulatory Reporting Packs, including information on delivery against these standards. Where concerns or evidence regarding the accuracy of records are raised, Ofgem can consider these as part of its regulatory oversight of DNOs and determine whether further action is appropriate.
The UK has a particularly high residential electricity-to-gas price ratio compared with many European countries. Electricity prices do not reflect the lower wholesale cost of clean energy, making low-carbon technologies more expensive to run than fossil-fuel alternatives and reducing the attractiveness of heat pumps.
Over this Parliament, the Government will work relentlessly to translate cheaper clean-power wholesale costs into lower consumer bills, making this central to every decision.
We are closely considering the balance of costs recovered through energy bills and a range of options to deliver our priorities, while recognising the difficult fiscal environment.
Given the issue’s complexity, decisions will be informed by robust research and analysis, with fairness and affordability at the forefront throughout.
The Government recognises the pressures faced by households that rely on heating oil. Minimum order volumes are commercial practices that can reflect the fixed costs of delivery and operational constraints, including tanker metering.
Following the Competition and Markets Authority’s market study, the Government has committed to review the rules and regulations that may constrain minimum order volumes.
The Government published its formal response to the CMA heating oil report on 13 October. We will focus on a programme of reform to strengthening consumer protections.
A Written Ministerial Statement can be found here: Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament
The full response can be found here: Government response to the CMA heating oil market study - GOV.UK"
We are engaging with industry and UKIFDA to consider practical options for smaller deliveries, while ensuring that any changes do not undermine security of supply or lead to disproportionate costs for consumers.
The Government has improved support for vulnerable customers with more than £50 million of targeted support for low-income households that heat their homes with oil.
Through the Local Power Plan, the Government is delivering the biggest expansion of community energy in a generation. Great British Energy will provide up to £1 billion to support over 1,000 local and community energy projects by 2030. Its £30 million funding package will help community organisations and local authorities develop and deliver projects, including through partnerships.
The Government is also working with Ofgem and stakeholders to address barriers involving finance, capability, grid connections and market access. These measures will enable households, community groups and local businesses, including those in North East Somerset and Hanham, to benefit from clean energy.
Syngenta has stated that no final decision has been made but it has begun a formal consultation process with employees and trade union representatives and has indicated it remains committed to considering alternative options and potential pathways forward.
We are working closely with Syngenta, the Scottish Government and other partners to secure the best possible outcome for the site and its workforce. We will continue to engage constructively with the company throughout the consultation, including exploring opportunities to retain, transfer or repurpose operations or assets and protect as many jobs as possible.
The UK government are considering the implications of recent announcements and will continue to work with partners to ensure affected workers are supported.
The Government recognises that some groups, including older people, are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat. Air-to-air heat pumps, which can provide heating and cooling, will be eligible for support through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, Warm Homes Local Grant and Warm Homes Social Housing Fund once they can be MCS certified.
The Government believes priority should be given to passive cooling measures to limit the impact of active cooling on energy bills. That is why the Warm Homes Plan committed to seek to embed appropriate and cost-effective passive measures within capital-funded schemes focused on low-income and social housing during this Parliament.
The Government recognises there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to improving the UK’s diverse building stock.
The Government continues to work with heritage organisations and across government to support appropriate energy efficiency improvements to historic and listed buildings, while safeguarding their heritage value.
A national strategy is already in place in the form of the Warm Homes Plan, which was published earlier this year and sets out a range of schemes, policies, and approaches to these issues.
In particular, current Government capital schemes are designed with criteria specifically targeting low-income households and the least efficient properties based on their EPC rating.
The Plan also sets out how over the longer term we will integrate those schemes into an ambitious new single scheme which will shift towards area-based delivery, building on the experience of local authorities with more targeted and deliverable investment, and devolving funding so regional and local government accelerate home and building upgrades according to their needs.
The membership, terms of reference and scope of the Taskforce on the National Security and Resilience Risks of a Changing Climate and Nature Loss are publicly available on GOV.UK
The membership of the Taskforce is publicly available on GOV.UK,. The Taskforce meetings are held in confidence to support candid and independent discussion. Regular updates to the public will be provided in due course.
The UK’s is proposing to make a £400 million investment as a repayable investment to the Tropical Forest Investment Fund (TFIF), the investment arm of the TFFF. The TFIF will invest this capital, with the returns generated used to make payments to eligible tropical forest countries for protecting their forests. These payments to forest countries will not need to be repaid.
The detailed financial model is being developed by the Facility and its partners, and the UK’s investment is expected to be repaid with a return, subject to final terms, due diligence and the UK’s conditions being met.
Government recognises the importance of ensuring coal tip safety across the country and just how much this issue resonates with local communities, particularly in the South Wales valleys.
The UK Government and Welsh Government have worked closely together to secure coal tip sites, with the support of the Mining Remediation Authority (MRA).
Local authorities remain the primary authority for coal recovery schemes from tips through the planning and enforcement system, including responsibility for securing appropriate funding.
Over the course of 2025, almost two-thirds of Britain’s electricity generation came from clean power. We have seen over £110 billion in private investment announced into clean energy and consented enough clean energy to power over 20 million homes. In our last auction we secured new offshore wind at a price that is 40% cheaper than building and operating new gas, while unlocking £27 billion in private sector investment and supporting thousands of jobs across the country. By delivering more clean, homegrown power, the less time gas will set the price of electricity. We have already moved from gas setting the price of electricity around 90% of the time in the early 2020s, to around 60% today.
The UK has banned imports of crude oil and refined products directly from Russia since December 2022.
On 20 May 2026, the Government went further than any previous ban by prohibiting imports of refined oil products made from Russian crude in third countries. This further action is being phased in with a temporary licence to allow continued imports of diesel and jet fuel refined in third countries during a strict transition period; it is reviewed every two weeks and will expire by 1 January 2027 at the latest. The Government will continue to work with international partners to close routes for Russian oil and cut off revenues funding Putin's illegal war.
The Government’s Warm Homes Plan sets out a range of measures to support households and investment in the clean heat supply chain. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is one part of that plan and has a budget of £400 million for this financial year (2026/27).
The Government does not comment on speculation ahead of fiscal events. Future Warm Homes Plan funding, including the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, is subject to decisions at future Budgets and Spending Reviews. The Chancellor will set out further details on spending later this month.
The Government expects energy suppliers to refund customers promptly where money is owed. Ofgem already requires automatic compensation in specific cases, including where final bills or credit balance refunds are delayed following a switch.
The Government supports Ofgem’s ongoing review of Guaranteed Standards of Performance (GSOP) payments including proposals for inflation-linked compensation. A further consultation on this work is expected in the coming months as part of Ofgem’s Consumer Outcomes package.
More broadly, through its review of Ofgem and its consultation on faster and fairer redress for consumers, the Government has set out reforms to strengthen the regulator as a consumer champion, including stronger powers to enforce consumer law directly and help ensure customers receive what they are owed.
Decarbonising the way we heat our buildings is a key pillar of the Government’s Warm Homes Plan. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is critical component of that Plan and has a budget of £400 million for this year (2026/27).
The Government does not comment on speculation ahead of fiscal events. Future Warm Homes Plan funding, including the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, is subject to decisions at future Budgets and Spending Reviews. The Chancellor will set out further details on spending later this month.
The Government has not made an estimate. According to the Scottish Census data, 5.1% of all households in Scotland rely on heating oil as their primary source of central.
Heating policy is devolved to the Scottish Government. The Government allocated £53 million of financial support across the nations of the UK to support those on low income with the rising cost of heating oil and LPG. Government is regulating the heat oil sector for the first time
This includes £4.6 million allocated to the Scottish Government.
The Government recognises the important role that refineries play in energy security, resilience, economic growth and jobs, and is committed to the long-term future of the sector.
A linking agreement is expected to bring significant benefits for UK industry, including access to a larger, more liquid market. The Government is committed to negotiating an agreement that works for UK industry and will follow normal processes for any necessary legislative changes and assess impacts accordingly.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme statistics are published monthly with a delay of approximately one month. The latest available data are for August 2026: Boiler Upgrade Scheme statistics - GOV.UK. Table 1.3 provides information on the number of redemptions paid, broken down by the fuel type displaced since the scheme’s launch.
Across all technology types, a cumulative 15,106 voucher redemptions had been paid for the replacement of oil-heated systems through the scheme by the end of July 2026. By the end of August 2026 this had increased to 16,129 voucher redemptions, representing a further 1,023 voucher redemptions for installations displacing oil-heated systems during August 2026.
The Government recognises the important role that refineries play in energy security, resilience, economic growth and jobs, and is committed to the long-term future of the sector.
A linking agreement is expected to bring significant benefits for UK industry, including access to a larger, more liquid market. The Government is committed to negotiating an agreement that works for UK industry and will follow normal processes for any necessary legislative changes and assess impacts accordingly.
We do not have any FTE officials working on a review of the CBAM. CBAM is a tax and is a matter for HM Treasury.
Through the Warm Homes Plan, we will put communities at the centre of delivery, devolving funding so regional and local government can accelerate home and building upgrades according to their needs.
The Government does recognise the particular challenges for rural areas and is currently undertaking specific research to improve understanding of the costs and practicalities of decarbonising more complex housing archetypes. Results will be available soon and will help inform future policy decisions.
In the meantime, the Government is already taking action, recently increasing the grant amount available for heat pump installations through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to £9,000 for homes heated by oil or LPG.
Real-world trials have shown that heat pumps work well across different property types. This is reflected in strong uptake in rural areas, with 50% of BUS grants awarded to rural properties and 39% to homes off the gas grid.
The Government recognises the particular challenges faced by households in rural and remote areas that are not connected to the electricity grid. Many of these households rely on heating oil and LPG as their primary source of heating.
This year, the Government announced £53 million of support for low-income households that use any fuel for domestic heating, cooking or lighting, helping to address rising energy costs.
For those considering alternatives to oil heating, the Government is supporting the installation of low-carbon heating through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, for eligible households in England and Wales. A time-limited higher grant of £9,000 is available for eligible off-gas-grid properties replacing oil or LPG heating systems, helping households and small businesses most exposed to volatile fossil fuel prices to switch to low-carbon heating. The Government is regulating the heat oil sector for the first time.
In addition, the Government published its formal response to the CMA heating oil report on 13 October, and plans to strengthen regulations in the market for the first time, making sure households who use heating oil are treated fairly.
The Warm Home Discount provides eligible low-income households with a £150 rebate on their electricity bill. In England and Wales, eligible households must receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Housing Benefit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance and they (or their partner) must be named on the electricity account. The financial resources of an unrelated co-tenant are not taken into account. Eligibility rules for other Government support schemes may differ from those for the Warm Home Discount, and entitlement is determined in accordance with the specific criteria established for each scheme.
Hydrogen can help reindustrialise Britain by cutting emissions from heavy industry and providing clean power, helping to maintain our manufacturing base, and create new clean energy industries and skilled jobs in our industrial heartlands.
Transport and storage infrastructure can help unlock the full system benefits of hydrogen.
Government is continuing to work at pace to identify transport and storage requirements to inform the scope, scale and timing of government support for transport and storage infrastructure. More detail on funding will be available following the Autumn Budget on October 28th.
Hydrogen can help reindustrialise Britain by cutting emissions from heavy industry and providing clean power, helping to maintain our manufacturing base, and create new clean energy industries and skilled jobs in our industrial heartlands.
We understand the importance of providing clarity to businesses across the hydrogen sector and we are regularly engaging with industry to understand their proposals relating to hydrogen infrastructure.
We recognise the importance of maintaining momentum on hydrogen development and are committed to accelerating progress where possible.
Although both projects were consented together, different requirements apply to each. There is no compensation scheme for the Morgan project. For the Morecambe project compensation is payable for blight and the grant of Compulsory Acquisition and Temporary Possession powers.
The Government recognises that communities housing clean energy infrastructure should benefit from doing so, and is exploring introducing mandatory community benefits for low-carbon technologies. The offshore wind industry has well-established voluntary community benefit schemes for coastal communities. However, community benefits are not legally material to the planning decision and cannot be considered when deciding whether to grant consent for a project.
The Government is making strong progress in supporting off-gas-grid homes to switch to cleaner heating.
In response to the Middle East situation, the Government increased grants available for heat pump installations to up to £9,000 for homes currently heated by oil or LPG.
In total the Boiler Upgrade Scheme has supported over 90,000 installations across England and Wales, with 49% of funding delivered to rural areas and 38% to off-grid areas. The average cost of a heat pump installation has fallen by 11% in real terms since the Scheme launched in 2022.
The Warm Homes: Local Grant is also supporting low-income households living in EPC D-G homes, both on and off the gas grid, with energy performance improvements and low-carbon heating.
ECO4 Flex Route 3 supports medically vulnerable households not meeting standard benefits criteria, but does not disapply the property requirements. Article 19(1)(e) cross-refers to articles 13 and 14 while omitting only their household-eligibility requirement. Accordingly, owner-occupied homes must have a pre-project SAP band D to G and private-rented homes E to G. Band C homes are outside the scheme. This targets finite support at the least energy-efficient homes, where improvements can deliver the greatest heating-cost reductions and benefits. Equality impacts were considered in accordance with the Public Sector Equality Duty when ECO4 was designed. Eligibility for the scheme, which closes on 31 December 2026, does not guarantee installation of measures.
ECO4 Flex Route 3 supports medically vulnerable households not meeting standard benefits criteria, but does not disapply the property requirements. Article 19(1)(e) cross-refers to articles 13 and 14 while omitting only their household-eligibility requirement. Accordingly, owner-occupied homes must have a pre-project SAP band D to G and private-rented homes E to G. Band C homes are outside the scheme. This targets finite support at the least energy-efficient homes, where improvements can deliver the greatest heating-cost reductions and benefits. Equality impacts were considered in accordance with the Public Sector Equality Duty when ECO4 was designed. Eligibility for the scheme, which closes on 31 December 2026, does not guarantee installation of measures.
ECO4 Flex Route 3 supports medically vulnerable households not meeting standard benefits criteria, but does not disapply the property requirements. Article 19(1)(e) cross-refers to articles 13 and 14 while omitting only their household-eligibility requirement. Accordingly, owner-occupied homes must have a pre-project SAP band D to G and private-rented homes E to G. Band C homes are outside the scheme. This targets finite support at the least energy-efficient homes, where improvements can deliver the greatest heating-cost reductions and benefits. Equality impacts were considered in accordance with the Public Sector Equality Duty when ECO4 was designed. Eligibility for the scheme, which closes on 31 December 2026, does not guarantee installation of measures.
ECO4 Flex Route 3 supports medically vulnerable households not meeting standard benefits criteria, but does not disapply the property requirements. Article 19(1)(e) cross-refers to articles 13 and 14 while omitting only their household-eligibility requirement. Accordingly, owner-occupied homes must have a pre-project SAP band D to G and private-rented homes E to G. Band C homes are outside the scheme. This targets finite support at the least energy-efficient homes, where improvements can deliver the greatest heating-cost reductions and benefits. Equality impacts were considered in accordance with the Public Sector Equality Duty when ECO4 was designed. Eligibility for the scheme, which closes on 31 December 2026, does not guarantee installation of measures.
ECO4 Flex Route 3 supports medically vulnerable households not meeting standard benefits criteria, but does not disapply the property requirements. Article 19(1)(e) cross-refers to articles 13 and 14 while omitting only their household-eligibility requirement. Accordingly, owner-occupied homes must have a pre-project SAP band D to G and private-rented homes E to G. Band C homes are outside the scheme. This targets finite support at the least energy-efficient homes, where improvements can deliver the greatest heating-cost reductions and benefits. Equality impacts were considered in accordance with the Public Sector Equality Duty when ECO4 was designed. Eligibility for the scheme, which closes on 31 December 2026, does not guarantee installation of measures.
ECO4 Flex Route 3 supports medically vulnerable households not meeting standard benefits criteria, but does not disapply the property requirements. Article 19(1)(e) cross-refers to articles 13 and 14 while omitting only their household-eligibility requirement. Accordingly, owner-occupied homes must have a pre-project SAP band D to G and private-rented homes E to G. Band C homes are outside the scheme. This targets finite support at the least energy-efficient homes, where improvements can deliver the greatest heating-cost reductions and benefits. Equality impacts were considered in accordance with the Public Sector Equality Duty when ECO4 was designed. Eligibility for the scheme, which closes on 31 December 2026, does not guarantee installation of measures.
The Solar Roadmap published last year set out actions for Government and industry, including for commercial solar.
Since 2022 there has been a business rates exemption for plant and machinery used in connection with onsite renewable generation. The exemption applies from until 31 March 2035.
The Annual Investment Allowance is permanently set at £1 million which gives 100% tax relief to businesses on plant and machinery investments.
The Government does not take a prescriptive approach to the proportion of future rooftop and ground-mounted solar. Both forms of deployment will be needed to meet our clean power ambitions.
The government is committed to delivering the transition to zero emission vehicles and low carbon heating in a way that supports an efficient electricity system and is affordable for consumers and businesses. As part of wider analysis of the future electricity system and consumer bills, the Department assesses the implications of electrification, including any changes in projected demand from electric vehicles and heat pumps. This analysis considers infrastructure requirements, the potential for flexible technologies and interactions across the wider energy system, and informs both policy development and electricity system planning. The government will keep this under review as policies develop.
The government has confirmed that it plans to strengthen regulations in the market for the first time, making sure households who use heating oil are treated fairly.
Next steps will include extensive stakeholder engagement. We will work with those recommended by the CMA in their final report, including the Scottish Government and Northern Irish Executive (where heating oil and consumer protection and advocacy is either fully or partially devolved), and relevant regulators including Ofgem and the Utility Regulator.
We’ll also work with industry and consumer bodies such as, but not limited to, UKIFDA and the Northern Ireland Oil Federation. This engagement will help build the evidence base needed to develop the right options for stronger regulations.
This will take time, and it’s important we get it right, to ensure the best outcomes for consumers.
In the meantime, we will also work across relevant government departments and with industry to strengthen consumer protection measures in the Codes of Conduct, and consider minimum order volumes, access to smaller deliveries and payment plans as well as whether further action is needed to support price transparency. We will look at whether any of the existing rules and guidance on minimum order volumes is unnecessarily restricting consumers’ options, and assess the coverage, accessibility and reliance of existing price transparency provisions. This will determine whether, and what, government intervention is required.
We will set out more detail on the approach to taking forward the recommendations as soon as possible.
The government has confirmed that it plans to strengthen regulations in the market for the first time, making sure households who use heating oil are treated fairly.
Next steps will include extensive stakeholder engagement. We will work with those recommended by the CMA in their final report, including the Scottish Government and Northern Irish Executive (where heating oil and consumer protection and advocacy is either fully or partially devolved), and relevant regulators including Ofgem and the Utility Regulator.
We’ll also work with industry and consumer bodies such as, but not limited to, UKIFDA and the Northern Ireland Oil Federation. This engagement will help build the evidence base needed to develop the right options for stronger regulations.
This will take time, and it’s important we get it right, to ensure the best outcomes for consumers.
In the meantime, we will also work across relevant government departments and with industry to strengthen consumer protection measures in the Codes of Conduct, and consider minimum order volumes, access to smaller deliveries and payment plans as well as whether further action is needed to support price transparency. We will look at whether any of the existing rules and guidance on minimum order volumes is unnecessarily restricting consumers’ options, and assess the coverage, accessibility and reliance of existing price transparency provisions. This will determine whether, and what, government intervention is required.
We will set out more detail on the approach to taking forward the recommendations as soon as possible.
The government has confirmed that it plans to strengthen regulations in the market for the first time, making sure households who use heating oil are treated fairly.
Next steps will include extensive stakeholder engagement. We will work with those recommended by the CMA in their final report, including the Scottish Government and Northern Irish Executive (where heating oil and consumer protection and advocacy is either fully or partially devolved), and relevant regulators including Ofgem and the Utility Regulator.
We’ll also work with industry and consumer bodies such as, but not limited to, UKIFDA and the Northern Ireland Oil Federation. This engagement will help build the evidence base needed to develop the right options for stronger regulations.
This will take time, and it’s important we get it right, to ensure the best outcomes for consumers.
In the meantime, we will also work across relevant government departments and with industry to strengthen consumer protection measures in the Codes of Conduct, and consider minimum order volumes, access to smaller deliveries and payment plans as well as whether further action is needed to support price transparency. We will look at whether any of the existing rules and guidance on minimum order volumes is unnecessarily restricting consumers’ options, and assess the coverage, accessibility and reliance of existing price transparency provisions. This will determine whether, and what, government intervention is required.
We will set out more detail on the approach to taking forward the recommendations as soon as possible.
The government has confirmed that it plans to strengthen regulations in the market for the first time, making sure households who use heating oil are treated fairly.
Next steps will include extensive stakeholder engagement. We will work with those recommended by the CMA in their final report, including the Scottish Government and Northern Irish Executive (where heating oil and consumer protection and advocacy is either fully or partially devolved), and relevant regulators including Ofgem and the Utility Regulator.
We’ll also work with industry and consumer bodies such as, but not limited to, UKIFDA and the Northern Ireland Oil Federation. This engagement will help build the evidence base needed to develop the right options for stronger regulations.
This will take time, and it’s important we get it right, to ensure the best outcomes for consumers.
In the meantime, we will also work across relevant government departments and with industry to strengthen consumer protection measures in the Codes of Conduct, and consider minimum order volumes, access to smaller deliveries and payment plans as well as whether further action is needed to support price transparency. We will look at whether any of the existing rules and guidance on minimum order volumes is unnecessarily restricting consumers’ options, and assess the coverage, accessibility and reliance of existing price transparency provisions. This will determine whether, and what, government intervention is required.
We will set out more detail on the approach to taking forward the recommendations as soon as possible.
The government has confirmed that it plans to strengthen regulations in the market for the first time, making sure households who use heating oil are treated fairly.
Next steps will include extensive stakeholder engagement. We will work with those recommended by the CMA in their final report, including the Scottish Government and Northern Irish Executive (where heating oil and consumer protection and advocacy is either fully or partially devolved), and relevant regulators including Ofgem and the Utility Regulator.
We’ll also work with industry and consumer bodies such as, but not limited to, UKIFDA and the Northern Ireland Oil Federation. This engagement will help build the evidence base needed to develop the right options for stronger regulations.
This will take time, and it’s important we get it right, to ensure the best outcomes for consumers.
In the meantime, we will also work across relevant government departments and with industry to strengthen consumer protection measures in the Codes of Conduct, and consider minimum order volumes, access to smaller deliveries and payment plans as well as whether further action is needed to support price transparency. We will look at whether any of the existing rules and guidance on minimum order volumes is unnecessarily restricting consumers’ options, and assess the coverage, accessibility and reliance of existing price transparency provisions. This will determine whether, and what, government intervention is required.
We will set out more detail on the approach to taking forward the recommendations as soon as possible.