CONSUMER watchdogs are to speed up their investigation into energy companies in a Government bid to help rural residents cope with rising oil prices.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones questioned energy minister Charles Hendry on what was being done to help people living in the countryside, many of whom have oil-fired heating which depend on oil deliveries.

Mr Hendry told him many people using oil had been hit hard by high prices and supply problems this winter.

“I am keen the reasons for this are thoroughly investigated by an independent authority,” he said. He said he had told the Office of Fair Trading to speed up its inquiry into companies supplying oil and other forms of energy other than through the National Grid.