MPs in call for action over rising fuel prices

Drivers urged to cut back on journeys amid fuel price rise

- RUTH MOSALSKI Political editor [e-mail]

Fuel (Petrol and Diesel) prices have been increasing as the war in the Middle East impacts the price of oil

(ROB BROWNE)

MPs have called for action as fuel costs increases as a result of the war in Iran.

Customers have reported huge surges in the cost of heating oil as the conflict in the Middle East has seen prices surge due to shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

It has driven up the price of fuel for drivers, as well as the cost of heating homes.

Those campaigning estimate about 1.5 million homes in the UK were heated with oil rather than gas - households that were disproportionately rural, with residents who were often elderly and vulnerable.

There are an estimated 18% of homes in Wales that use heating oil.

Already people have reported huge spikes in the cost of heating fuel, but also issues with availability.

One Welsh supplier, DJ Davies, has said it has "faced ongoing allocation restrictions in what appears to be a very fast-moving and fluid situation.

"Due to this, we have had to make the difficult decision to cancel all outstanding third-party deliveries."

One commentator said they had a delivery due on March 6 for 750l of oil at 61p per litre, they said on the day they were told the order couldn't be fulfilled but could be provided at £1.19 per litre - a rise of 58p per litre, totalling £435.

The company responded saying restrictions on their allocations were put in place last week, with more added on March 6 "until further notice".

"A decision to cancel the orders was made due to that fact that with our new allocations we would be unable to fulfil the orders placed on via BoilerJuice within the agreed timeframes.

"This issue is being seen nationwide with all distributors seeing supply issues."