19 Mar 2026 Competition and Markets Authority sets up greater monitoring of fuel prices

The conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global oil and gas markets, putting UK farm and rural businesses under immense pressure. The Prime Minister has announced a £53 million support package for the most vulnerable households reliant on heating oil.   The Competition and Markets Authority CEO Sarah Cardell has written to the Chancellor outlining the actions the body has taken on heating oil and fuels, and how it is monitoring prices across the country.   Ms Cardell wrote that the CMA would also continue to monitor the impact on red diesel and fertiliser as part of its wider work.   This includes monitoring complaints around existing orders being cancelled, followed by new offers at significantly higher prices, and price increases applied to automated delivery arrangements which are triggered when fuel in oil tanks drops to a certain level.