Ofgem fine triggers calls for 'heating oil duty to be scrapped'

26 February 2008

There have been fresh calls for the scrapping of heating oil duty paid by pensioners following the announcement that the National Grid has been given its biggest ever fine by Ofgem.

Ofgem, the industry regulator, noted that cheaper deals had not been offered to customers as gas suppliers were prevented from contacting each other to agree contracts.

The company was fined £41.6 million for breaching competition law.

"National Grid has abused its dominance in the domestic gas metering market, restricting competition and harming consumers," Ofgem's chairman Sir John Mogg stated.

While those who rely on heating oil remain unaffected by today's announcement, BoilerJuice has stepped in to represent the elderly oil users by way of a petition.

The petition is aimed at helping pensioners who rely on oil tanks and by calling upon the government to scrap the five per cent oil duty.

As of February 11th, 2,227 have signed the petition.

Click here to sign up for the petition