Sir Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will take steps to support small rural communities dependent on oil supplies whose commercial suppliers have said than none will be available for a period of weeks.  [118677]

[Due for Answer on 12 March]

ANSWER

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Consumers (Martin McCluskey): The Government is closely monitoring heating oil supply and demand in light of instability in the Middle East. The UK benefits from a strong and diverse security of fuel supplies and Ministers have met with and continue to engage with the UK & Ireland Fuel Distributors Association (UKIFDA) and other key industry bodies. We are aware that increased demand is leading to delays in some companies being able to accept new orders while they work through the backlog of existing orders. We continue to work with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on whether any further support or action is needed to protect consumers.