The crash in pump prices is giving the UK economy — already Europe’s strongest — a shot in the arm which will benefit every household in the land. … All this will give the Coalition Government, and the hard pressed taxpayer, a happy New Year as businesses take a boost, tax revenues flow and the deficit finally starts tumbling.
Yet the very basis for Mr Salmond’s reputation as a political prophet has been shattered by the crash in oil prices, which is literally tumbling by the day:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/11308952/Opec-Oil-plummets-after-Saudis-says-20-crude-is-possible.html
Tough to argue with this commentary. And remember Scotland's independence was meant to be secured on permanently high oil prices. The honest truth is that Alex Salmond has zero economic credibility.
Showing posts with label Heating Oil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Heating Oil. Show all posts
Tuesday, 23 December 2014
Tuesday, 16 December 2014
In Northumberland Heating Oil / petrol and diesel prices continue to fall
This is very good news for car drivers, businesses, farmers and homeowners in Northumberland as a car or oil fired heating are necessities for so many here - not luxuries. I continue to apply pressure on the oil companies to pass on the reduction in cost to the consumer at the pumps, but there is no doubt heating oil, and petrol for the car are much cheaper than they were a year, 2 or particularly 3 years ago. A slump in prices to levels around $40 per barrel of oil would be a boost for the UK economy and could see petrol prices drop close to £1 per litre providing relief to motorists. I recently met with many of the heating oil buying clubs and I am pleased to see that the minimum delivery price has dropped below £300.
The interesting question is why does the price keep falling? The key change is the impact of shale gas: it has made the USA energy independent and not an importer of foreign oil. At the same time there is the impact of sanctions on Russia, and the decisions of the OPEC Sheikhs. However, this will impact on the North East and Scotland as North Sea Oil and Gas will be affected in its margins and profitability. In that context I am pleased that the Infrastructure Bill is progressing as this will implement much of the Wood Review to assist our Oil and Gas producers and suppliers.
The papers examine this story in detail here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/oilandgas/11292837/Opec-willing-to-push-oil-price-to-40-says-Gulf-oil-minister.html
The interesting question is why does the price keep falling? The key change is the impact of shale gas: it has made the USA energy independent and not an importer of foreign oil. At the same time there is the impact of sanctions on Russia, and the decisions of the OPEC Sheikhs. However, this will impact on the North East and Scotland as North Sea Oil and Gas will be affected in its margins and profitability. In that context I am pleased that the Infrastructure Bill is progressing as this will implement much of the Wood Review to assist our Oil and Gas producers and suppliers.
The papers examine this story in detail here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/energy/oilandgas/11292837/Opec-willing-to-push-oil-price-to-40-says-Gulf-oil-minister.html
Tuesday, 9 December 2014
A trip to Kielder school and knocking on doors
I was recently able to head up to Kielder to spend time with the School, meet the teachers, and knock on a lot of doors locally. I also popped in to the Village Store and chatted to many of the locals who were out and about, including parish councillors. We discussed many things from the County Councils failure to upgrade the local lights, as promised, to the success of the fuel station and the lack of bus services, and the opportunities of the oil buying clubs locally.
As to the school there is no doubt it is a very good school, well led and with unique local facilities. The library co-exists in the same building in a good use of shared facilities by NCC. The sadness is the Youth Hostel which is presently not being used but I am hopeful that a solution will be forthcoming soon.
Finally a word on the fuel station, which has been transformative since I opened it a few years back [see photo below]. With the oil price coming down I hope that the cost of fuel will drop even more, as a car in Kielder is a necessity not a luxury. As always, I was not able to speak to everyone in the village but if you need to get in contact email me or call the Hexham or Westminster offices.
Sunday, 26 October 2014
Big Energy Saving Week
- hear of the progress they are making
- get a better understanding of the successes + difficulties
- discuss best practice and what government can doer products.
- and discuss how best we can offer alternative lending and credit union facilities to local people who are budgeting for oil buying in particular.
Guy Opperman (Hexham, Conservative)
In private meetings, and in meetings with my constituents, I have spoken to the Minister about oil companies having a 500-litre minimum limit for delivering to people who are off-grid. If the Department were to change that minimum delivery to a lower figure, it would have a massive impact on people who are particularly fuel-poor and off-grid. Could she please look at that and get back to me?
Hansard source (Citation: HC Deb, 21 October 2014, c232WH)
Amber Rudd (The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change; Hastings and Rye, Conservative)
I thank my hon. Friend for that comment. He has raised the matter with me previously, and I will get back to him.
Saturday, 1 February 2014
The Weekend Read: Iran is the good news story of 2014
Iran as a working friend, and not as an active enemy, is the key to Middle Eastern Peace.
Last week, the very fact that the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was in Davos, at the world economic forum, and saying Iran was open for business, was the most important world story for a very long time. It's the first time in ten years that an Iranian president has attended the World Economic Forum and he came with a message: Iran is ready to engage with the rest of the world, and he wants his country to become one of the ten global economies. It is also very good news for greater peace and a resolution of conflict in the Middle East.
Mr Rouhani said he intended to remove “all political and economic impediments to growth” in Iran and that one of his priorities was “constructive engagement” with the world, including through the use of its oil and gas reserves. “Only through co-operation and engagement can we provide a better life for our people and make peace sustainable,” he said.
For its part, Iran intends to “reopen trade, industrial and economic relations with all of our neighbours”, he said, identifying Turkey, Iraq, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, the states of the Gulf and Central Asia.
Clearly the presence of Iran back in to the fold of oil producing countries that we can do business with would have a seriously good positive impact on the price of oil - and more importantly the cost of energy and petrol - that we in Northumberland, and the wider west, consume.
It is clear that business leaders from all over the world are beginning to go to Tehran in the coming months. Again this is a potential new market for British Exporters who are keen to sell their wares.
This potential for new business for Irtan is linked to its decision to back off its possible nuclear programme, and its decision to engage with the west and not seek out confrontation. It is the most important sea change in world affairs for a very long time, and very good news. It is also clear that Rouhani will have a huge impact on the Syrian conflict, as his more recent pronouncements have shown.
For a fuller report on his speech and approach at Davos, the Guardian have the following view: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/23/davos-iran-ready-engage-world-rouhani
Last week, the very fact that the Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was in Davos, at the world economic forum, and saying Iran was open for business, was the most important world story for a very long time. It's the first time in ten years that an Iranian president has attended the World Economic Forum and he came with a message: Iran is ready to engage with the rest of the world, and he wants his country to become one of the ten global economies. It is also very good news for greater peace and a resolution of conflict in the Middle East.
Mr Rouhani said he intended to remove “all political and economic impediments to growth” in Iran and that one of his priorities was “constructive engagement” with the world, including through the use of its oil and gas reserves. “Only through co-operation and engagement can we provide a better life for our people and make peace sustainable,” he said.
For its part, Iran intends to “reopen trade, industrial and economic relations with all of our neighbours”, he said, identifying Turkey, Iraq, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, the states of the Gulf and Central Asia.
Clearly the presence of Iran back in to the fold of oil producing countries that we can do business with would have a seriously good positive impact on the price of oil - and more importantly the cost of energy and petrol - that we in Northumberland, and the wider west, consume.
It is clear that business leaders from all over the world are beginning to go to Tehran in the coming months. Again this is a potential new market for British Exporters who are keen to sell their wares.
This potential for new business for Irtan is linked to its decision to back off its possible nuclear programme, and its decision to engage with the west and not seek out confrontation. It is the most important sea change in world affairs for a very long time, and very good news. It is also clear that Rouhani will have a huge impact on the Syrian conflict, as his more recent pronouncements have shown.
For a fuller report on his speech and approach at Davos, the Guardian have the following view: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/23/davos-iran-ready-engage-world-rouhani
Thursday, 24 October 2013
Tackling Off Grid heating issue locally in Tynedale
Last week I continued the campaign to address the problem in the House of Commons at DECC Questions. We are working on a pilot project to address the lack of off grid heating during spring cold snaps that have caught some of local residents out. I have to draft a paper for DECC on this issue, and have already discussed it with one local representative who was at the recent Off Grid meeting with the Minister, but the principle is clear. The Q and A went as follows:
Guy Opperman (Hexham, Conservative)
What steps his Department is taking to ensure that residents of Northumberland who are off the grid have sufficient support during cold weather this winter.
Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks, Conservative)
The Government want everybody to be able to access secure and affordable fuel supplies for heating their homes. This year’s “Buy oil early” campaign was launched on 11 September to encourage consumers to stock up early and join oil-buying groups, where cost savings can be found. I will continue to work through the all-party group and the ministerial roundtable on off-gas grid issues to see what further action is required.
Guy Opperman (Hexham, Conservative)
I thank the Minister for that answer. Our concern should particularly be for vulnerable residents caught out by sudden spring cold snaps. Does he agree that there is scope for a pilot project in Northumberland in which a consortium of oil-buying clubs, parish councils and credit unions could be funded to assist such residents?
Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks, Conservative)
Yes; we very much welcome the development of local initiatives that can help promote a more affordable supply of heating oil to consumers. I look forward to seeing my hon. Friend’s final proposals for a pilot project in Northumberland and will then ask my officials to consider what support might be made available to assist him in taking it forward.
Hansard source (Citation: HC Deb, 17 October 2013, c879) If anyone is interested in being party to such a pilot they should get in touch with the London office and we will give more details.
Guy Opperman (Hexham, Conservative)
What steps his Department is taking to ensure that residents of Northumberland who are off the grid have sufficient support during cold weather this winter.
Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks, Conservative)
The Government want everybody to be able to access secure and affordable fuel supplies for heating their homes. This year’s “Buy oil early” campaign was launched on 11 September to encourage consumers to stock up early and join oil-buying groups, where cost savings can be found. I will continue to work through the all-party group and the ministerial roundtable on off-gas grid issues to see what further action is required.
Guy Opperman (Hexham, Conservative)
I thank the Minister for that answer. Our concern should particularly be for vulnerable residents caught out by sudden spring cold snaps. Does he agree that there is scope for a pilot project in Northumberland in which a consortium of oil-buying clubs, parish councils and credit unions could be funded to assist such residents?
Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks, Conservative)
Yes; we very much welcome the development of local initiatives that can help promote a more affordable supply of heating oil to consumers. I look forward to seeing my hon. Friend’s final proposals for a pilot project in Northumberland and will then ask my officials to consider what support might be made available to assist him in taking it forward.
Hansard source (Citation: HC Deb, 17 October 2013, c879) If anyone is interested in being party to such a pilot they should get in touch with the London office and we will give more details.
Friday, 13 September 2013
Heating Oil Changes and a Code of Practice at last
Great news! We have finally managed to get a Code of Practice from the Federation of Petroleum Suppliers: it is here: http://fpsonline.co.uk/Code%20of%20Conduct.pdf
Lauren Langton and I met the key Ministers on Wednesday and I have high hopes of an innovative scheme to help credit unions assist oil clubs and the low paid / elderly with funding to deal with heating oil purchases. More details to follow but anyone interested should contact Lauren direct and forward the code of practice to all interested oil buying clubs.
Lauren Langton and I met the key Ministers on Wednesday and I have high hopes of an innovative scheme to help credit unions assist oil clubs and the low paid / elderly with funding to deal with heating oil purchases. More details to follow but anyone interested should contact Lauren direct and forward the code of practice to all interested oil buying clubs.
Sunday, 19 May 2013
Energy Bill - thoughts on a speech?
In 2 weeks parliament is debating the Energy Bill, and I am inviting contributions on the content of my speech on this issue. I can think of few more important Bills going through the parliament on a multitude of levels. It addresses national issues of huge importance, and local issues that matter tremendously to the local people I try to represent in Northumberland.
On the one hand is government's fundamental obligation to keep the lights on.
On the other is our desire to tackle climate change.
Whilst we have to acknowledge that all governments have to address declining oil reserves, the legacy that comes with nuclear power, the carbon impact of coal, the innate difficulties of fracking and the unintended consequences of using all our trees for biomass plants.
Balance that with our upset in rural Northumberland that we have random applications for wind farms that are, at best, inefficient and, at worst, an expensive eye sore.
Talk to the miners and there are the arguments from local Labour MPs that we need a return to more coal mining, whilst the citizens of Whittonstall and Halton Lea Gate would disagree.
Add in the problems of the rising prices of the most important energy of all - the petrol / oil and diesel that runs our vehicles and heats our homes... not to mention the thousands of my constituents who are off grid and relying on unregulated LPG.
Who would be the lead energy minister? In cabinet this is Ed Davey. He is a decent man, doing a very difficult job.
Some of you will have read previous speeches I have given on this issue: a full list of the speeches on fuel poverty, biomass, the actions of the heating oil companies, fracking, my clashes with Caroline Flint, Labour's shadow energy minister, LPG, wind farms, the weakness of the OFT, issues in rural Northumberland, off grid heating, open cast and lots more are set out on They work for you:
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/search/?s=%28%28energy%29%29+&pid=24962&p=1
But I have decided to take a different approach to the speech in a couple of weeks time.
I am meeting on Friday 24th with a number of the representatives of the heating oil buying groups in Northumberland to try and get their specific input. Bear in mind that Mike Murray and Lauren Langton have already become the unofficial key advisers to the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee and recently Lauren met with the Energy Minister, Michael Fallon.
I have specifically asked them to give me information - both for onward transfer to the Ministers and the OFT, and also for potential inclusion in an energy bill speech.
As always the creation of a 6-10 minute speech is a composite effort of a variety of influences but I welcome the input of constituents one and all. My email, as everyone I hope knows, is guy.opperman.mp@parliament.uk
Details on the Energy Bill can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-energy-climate-change/series/energy-bill
On the one hand is government's fundamental obligation to keep the lights on.
On the other is our desire to tackle climate change.
Whilst we have to acknowledge that all governments have to address declining oil reserves, the legacy that comes with nuclear power, the carbon impact of coal, the innate difficulties of fracking and the unintended consequences of using all our trees for biomass plants.
Balance that with our upset in rural Northumberland that we have random applications for wind farms that are, at best, inefficient and, at worst, an expensive eye sore.
Talk to the miners and there are the arguments from local Labour MPs that we need a return to more coal mining, whilst the citizens of Whittonstall and Halton Lea Gate would disagree.
Add in the problems of the rising prices of the most important energy of all - the petrol / oil and diesel that runs our vehicles and heats our homes... not to mention the thousands of my constituents who are off grid and relying on unregulated LPG.
Who would be the lead energy minister? In cabinet this is Ed Davey. He is a decent man, doing a very difficult job.
Some of you will have read previous speeches I have given on this issue: a full list of the speeches on fuel poverty, biomass, the actions of the heating oil companies, fracking, my clashes with Caroline Flint, Labour's shadow energy minister, LPG, wind farms, the weakness of the OFT, issues in rural Northumberland, off grid heating, open cast and lots more are set out on They work for you:
http://www.theyworkforyou.com/search/?s=%28%28energy%29%29+&pid=24962&p=1
But I have decided to take a different approach to the speech in a couple of weeks time.
I am meeting on Friday 24th with a number of the representatives of the heating oil buying groups in Northumberland to try and get their specific input. Bear in mind that Mike Murray and Lauren Langton have already become the unofficial key advisers to the Energy and Climate Change Select Committee and recently Lauren met with the Energy Minister, Michael Fallon.
I have specifically asked them to give me information - both for onward transfer to the Ministers and the OFT, and also for potential inclusion in an energy bill speech.
As always the creation of a 6-10 minute speech is a composite effort of a variety of influences but I welcome the input of constituents one and all. My email, as everyone I hope knows, is guy.opperman.mp@parliament.uk
Details on the Energy Bill can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-of-energy-climate-change/series/energy-bill
Monday, 16 January 2012
DECC Select Committee evidence of Mike Murray and Lauren Langton
Mike and Lauren in my shared office in Westminster. They came to parliament and told the DECC Select Committee what was really happening to customers needing LPG and heating oil. The full transcript of their, and others witnesses, evidence that morning is set out in this link:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmenergy/uc1744-i/uc174401.htm
Tomorrow I have a meeting with the Office of Fair Trading and will be pushing them, and the Business department, to conduct a proper investigation into competition, pricing and availability of heating oil and LPG.
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