While customers received refunds for their original orders following cancellations, many had to buy replacement oil at significantly higher prices, while others went without the essential fuel. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) estimates customers may have paid between £150 and £350 more for replacement heating oil.
Roughly 4% to 6% of households in Gnosall use heating oil, meaning that between 90-140 homes were affected. This slightly exceeds the England & Wales average of 3.5% because the parish boundaries encompass rural outlying areas that may be off-grid.
Heating oil prices fluctuate around 86.6p per litre (as of August 2026). A typical 3-bedroom rural home in the off-grid areas can use 1,500 to 2,000 litres annually, translating to a rough fuel bill of £1,300 to £1,700 per year.
The compensation will come as a relief to people who are already struggling with the cost of living.
The CMA stepped in after finding that some heating oil suppliers cancelled customer orders when prices spiked sharply earlier this year - something the CMA believes may have breached contracts.
While affected customers did receive refunds for their cancelled orders, many were forced to buy replacement oil at much higher prices. The CMA estimates those customers paid between £150 and £350 more than they should have.
What customers will receive
- Those who bought replacement oil at a higher price will receive a payment covering the difference between the original and replacement order price
- Those who did not buy replacement oil will have their original order honoured at the price they first agreed
Do you need to do anything?
Eligible customers in Gnosall do not need to take any action to claim the compensation . Around 800 customers across the country have already been contacted directly, and others will be reached in due course. If you paid more for replacement oil, you will need to provide evidence such as a receipt and delivery note when asked.
The CMA says it will continue working with suppliers to make sure all affected customers receive what they are owed.
Source: govwire.co.uk
