MADAM, I am writing to urge everyone who relies upon oil for the most basic of needs, heating and cooking to write to Jesse Norman MP to express their concern about the outrageous prices that we have witnessed for domestic heating oil since the end of November.

There can be no justification for such prices – suppliers cannot expect us to believe that excuses such as difficulties in obtaining supplies, exceptional demand, extreme weather or the rise in the price of crude oil explain this. Whilst we all understand the principles of supply and demand we all know that winter is predictable - it occurs every year! The increases that we have just witnessed cannot be explained by this alone nor can the price of crude oil be used to justify it. Other utilities, businesses and suppliers plan for variable demand throughout the year so why can't the oil industry? If it is a question of capacity why do suppliers not increase stock levels in readiness for the inevitable increase in demand?

I have no sympathy for the corporate bodies who are prepared to overcharge us but I do know that many who work at the sharp end taking orders from customers who have expressed severe embarrassment at having to quote such extortionate prices. Some of those taking orders have been subject to unacceptable behaviour from a minority of customers who have taken their frustrations out on them. This of course is inappropriate as they do not set policy, the prices or purchase stock. I believe that they have done their best in impossible circumstances.

There is nothing else, no other service, goods or commodity that has risen by anything like the increase in oil prices that we have witnessed over the past few weeks. Had food, electricity, gas, water or council tax prices risen by even a fraction of those we have seen for oil there would have been serious questions asked in Parliament and those responsible would have been called to account.

There are vulnerable members of our community that have no alternative source of energy for heating or cooking. There are many who are literally freezing because they cannot afford oil at these prices.

Perhaps our local suppliers could provide us with a breakdown of how the additional costs can be justified.

I urge everyone to plan ahead and order early enough to enable them to shop around, do not accept the first price you receive, do not believe that customer loyalty and years with the same supplier will give you a better price.

Cancel any top up service and do not be enticed by anything other than the cheapest price and join or set up a buying group to benefit from negotiating better prices for larger volumes.

I am calling for the Office of Fair Trading to investigate recent practice and for the introduction of a regulator for oil pricing.

We need to make this a major talking point and everyone who is concerned about this should take every opportunity to express their views about their experience.

Russell B Hamilton, Bridstow