Okehampton-based fuel supplier Moorland Fuels has welcomed government plans to strengthen protection for oil-fired households when heating oil prices spike.

Currently, customers are typically required by companies to order a minimum of 500 litres from most fuel companies.

This can, though, be difficult for pensioners and others on fixed incomes to pay in one go, particularly when prices spike, as has been the case this year due to conflict in the Middle East.

The government has now accepted the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) recommendation to strengthen regulation in the heating oil sector.

Moorland Fuels points out that it already allows loyal customers and state age pensioners to order as little as 300 litres.

The company first introduced this in 2024, when the government restricted pensioners’ winter fuel payment, to help vulnerable customers unable to afford a full fuel tank top-up.

It has remained in place and Moorland Fuels has also extended this option to direct debit customers.

Abby Turner, Moorland Fuels director, said: “Heating oil prices have risen sharply because of international wholesale markets. As distributors, we are price takers, meaning what we pay is set by those markets, and that affects the cost of heating oil to our customers. While this is largely beyond our control, we do however, have the power to support our customers. Being able to order 300 litres and spread the cost by direct debit means people are not faced with one large bill at the start of winter.”

To help heating oil customers this winter, Abby offers this advice: “Check your tank level regularly and order before it runs low and demand rises. Look after your tank, a damaged tank can lead to costly leaks and contamination.

Spreading the cost by direct debit and ordering smaller amounts, can make heating easier to budget for. Local council also distribute government heating support.

She said: “If customers are worried about the cost of heating their home this winter our team is here to help find the best option.”

Okehampton fuel supplier Moorland Fuels has welcomed the government’s review into minimum heating oil order volumes to reduce customer costs as fuel prices rise.
Okehampton fuel supplier Moorland Fuels has welcomed the government’s review into minimum heating oil order volumes to reduce customer costs as fuel prices rise. (Moorland Fuels )