Rural residents back heating oil protection plan

Rural residents back heating oil protection planImage source, Nick WeaverImage caption, Nick Weaver's fuel supplier only delivered half of his order follwing the Middle East conflict, he said.BySusie RackReporting fromWest MidlandsPublishedJust nowFamilies living in rural parts of the West Midlands have welcomed a recommendation to bring protections for heating oil customers in line with those connected to the grid.The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said in a report on Wednesday that governments should bolster the rights of 1.5 million households reliant on the fuel source.It follows the cost of heating oil almost doubling for many after the start of the United States-Israel war with Iran in February, with average retail prices peaking 92% higher than normal.Jemma McCarron, who lives in Worcestershire, said: "If the prices are sky high because of things totally beyond your control, there's nothing you can do about that."Nick Weaver from Claverdon, Warwickshire, has also been outlining the experience of those whose more remote location sees them reliant on the alternative fuel source. He said he felt forced to take matters into his own hands in March after his heating oil supplier told him he would receive only half of the 1,000 litre order he had paid before the conflict began.The firm told him it would refund half of his original payment, then offered to sell him the missing 500 litres two days after his delivery for an additional £1,000."I was incredibly shocked and felt cheated," he said. "I definitely felt like they were taking advantage of the situation and I know I was fairly confident it was breach of contract."He wrote to all the directors of the firm in a last-ditch attempt to settle the issue amicably, which led to an agreement they would supply the missing fuel at the previously agreed price.He has since shared his experience on social media to try to help others in his village.Image source, Jemma McCarronI...