'Increased pressure' to scrap heating oil duty

26 February 2008

An increased pressure to scrap the heating oil duty paid by the elderly has been made by BoilerJuice following the record fine handed to the National Grid by Ofgem.

It was found that the National Grid had colluded in order to stop agreements between gas suppliers creating cheaper deals for customers.

Ofgem doled out a £41.6 million (€55.17 million) fine to the company for breaching competition law.

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

While the announcement does not affect those who use heating oil, it has sparked fresh calls for the government to get rid of the five per cent charge handed to pensioners refilling their oil tanks.

BoilerJuice has set up a petition in aid of the cause, which by February 11th had collected 2,227 signatures.

Click here to sign up for the petition