Call for review of isles’ heating oil market

Northern Isles parliamentarians Alistair Carmichael MP and Tavish Scott MSP have again called for a review of the heating oil market in Orkney and Shetland after a report from the Office for Fair Trading (OFT) argued that there was no case for direct intervention in the market at present.

The report from the OFT concluded that 97 per cent of all households around the UK that use fuel oil have a choice of four or more suppliers.

Mr Carmichael said: “In their report the OFT made much of the range of suppliers available in many areas of the country but the simple fact is that people in the Northern Isles have little or no choice when it comes to deciding where to buy their heating oil.

“People in Orkney and Shetland are forced to buy from one source and given the high prices we have seen in recent years I think there is a real case for the OFT to look again at our local market.

“I will be seeking an urgent meeting with the OFT to discuss this issue.”