- 05/03/2026
- Posted by: Amanda Hack MP
- Category: News
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I’ve been monitoring local fuel prices since July 2024, comparing forecourts here with nearby areas. Today, I raised the increases we’ve seen over the last few days following the ongoing conflict in the Middle East with the Secretary of State for Energy Security & Net Zero.
I also raised the importance of continuing to move away from fossil fuels to secure our future energy supply. We need clean, homegrown power that protects us from volatile global oil and gas markets.
I was pleased to hear that our government is continuing to monitor the fast-moving situation and will act to provide support where and if it’s needed, just as we have done recently to help bring down household energy costs.
Following the statement in the house, I will be writing to the department to highlight the immediate jump in local prices across forecourts and heating oil in North West Leicestershire.
Update 11th March
Yesterday I wrote to the Minister for Energy and the Competition and Markets Authority to raise my concerns about the volatility in forecourt prices, both across our area and compared with nearby communities. The differences are staggering, and I’m very worried about potential petrol pump profiteering.
I know these sudden increases are putting real pressure on people’s bills. Thanks to recent changes in legislation, forecourts must now report any price changes within 30 minutes, meaning you can shop around with more confidence for the best deal.
I can confirm that the Competition and Markets Authority have already passed this information to their intelligence team to look into further.
You can check nearby fuel prices here:
https://www.petrolprices.com/app/map
Update 16th March – Heating Oil
Over the past week, I’ve heard from many of you about the rise in heating oil prices across the constituency following the volatility in the Middle East.
Some residents have told me about orders being cancelled and then reissued at significantly higher prices. I know that for households that rely on heating oil, delaying an order simply isn’t an option. Poor practices and hiking up prices is completely unacceptable.
As a member of the Labour Rural Research Group, I met with the Energy Minister and the Treasury Secretary alongside colleagues last week to raise these concerns, and we have continued to provide feedback from our survey. Following those discussions, the government is now taking action.
We are not only looking at how the UK heating oil sector can be more closely regulated in the future, but we are also announcing a £53 million support package for those most in need.
The funding will be distributed by local authorities via the Crisis and Resilience Fund (previously known as the Household Support Fund). As further information on the scheme becomes available, I will of course share that with you.
Update 24th March – Meeting the CMA
Yesterday, alongside parliamentary colleagues in the Labour Rural Research Group (LRRG), I met with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to discuss the sharp rise in heating oil prices and our concerns about potential profiteering.
We have heard directly from many of you about being ripped off by companies, through unfair pricing, cancelled orders, and what appear to be clear breaches of consumer law.
I asked the CMA to clarify what further action they can take to tackle unfair practices by heating oil providers, and how lessons from the invasion of Ukraine and the current international situation can help them better prepare for future price spikes.
I am also pleased that the Chancellor confirmed earlier today that a new anti-profiteering framework will be introduced. This will give government bodies and regulators, including the CMA, stronger powers to identify and act against unfair pricing where it occurs.
I will continue to follow up with the CMA on this issue, as well as on forecourt fuel prices, to keep pushing for action on something I know is affecting so many of you.
The Prime Minister and Chancellor have made it clear that all options remain on the table to support people with the cost of living. I welcome that this was also discussed at last night’s COBRA meeting.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with my office if there is any support we can provide, or if you believe you are experiencing unfair practices from your heating oil provider:
Update 27th March – My Second Letter to the CMA
I have now written a second letter to the Competition and Markets Authority regarding local fuel prices.
The scale of the price differences we have, and continue to see across our area, compared with nearby communities, is worrying. I remain very concerned about the possibility of unfair pricing at the pumps and the impact this is having on household budgets.
I have asked for stronger scrutiny and clearer answers on what action will be taken to ensure fairness for motorists.
We have recently passed legislation to compel every forecourt to register and report price changes within 30 mins.
If you’re seeing big price differences locally, please do share them with me; your experiences are really important in an ever changing market.
Update 20th May- Taking Action
Since the conflict in Iran began earlier this year, we have continued to review support measures to help families and businesses manage the cost of living, particularly rising fuel prices.
Today we’re taking further action through a new £400m package of measures, including:
The 5p fuel duty cut will now remain in place until the end of the year, saving drivers around £120 compared to the previous government’s plans. Hauliers will benefit from a 12-month road tax holiday. On renewal, they’ll pay just £1, saving about £600 for a standard heavy lorry and up to £912 for the largest vehicles. Red diesel duty will be reduced to its lowest level in more than two decades. From 15 June until year-end, the rate will fall by over a third, supporting agriculture, rail freight, and other users of rebated fuels.That’s alongside the action we have already taken to support the most vulnerable with heating oil costs, through the Crisis and Resilience Fund, after the spike in prices at the start of the war
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