AQW 41724/22-27

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 03/03/2026
Answered On Date: 05/05/2026
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy whether her Department is considering introducing any additional consumer protection measures, in response to rising home heating oil prices.

Answer:

The home heating oil retail market operates under the rules of competition legislation. Trading Standards Service works with the heating oil industry to help ensure that everyone is operating within competition and consumer protection law.

Also, the Consumer Council actively monitors heating oil prices here and publishes weekly average prices to allow people to shop around between suppliers.

The Competition and Markets Authority has launched a market study into the retail supply of home heating oil including the market in the North. It will examine whether the market is working well for consumers. If it finds that it is not, it is expected to identify opportunities to help improve outcomes for consumers in this market.