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<p>The Department is in frequent contact with Liquid Gas UK, the trade association
for the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) industry in the UK. Every year, BEIS works closely
with industry to monitor the LPG and heating oil supply position over winter and to
proactively take steps to mitigate any risks that may affect distribution to customers
and essential services.</p><p> </p><p>In these discussions, Liquid Gas UK reported
that demand for cylinders reached unprecedented levels this year, while lead times
for importing new cylinders have been significantly lengthened due to increased global
steel demand and volatile shipping markets. The industry expects the demand for cylinders
from the UK leisure and tourism sectors to decline as the summer holiday season comes
to an end and this to ease the pressure. Their members are offering solutions such
as cylinder swaps and alternative sizes where possible for consumers affected.</p><p>
</p><p>In 2018 Liquid Gas UK published a ‘Customer Charter’, which requires its member
companies to adhere to a set of common principles. These include ‘Cold Weather Priority
Delivery’ so that at times of restricted supply the industry will seek to ensure that
priority groups do not run out of energy, particularly those who are aged 75 or older,
chronically ill, or registered disabled. I would encourage eligible customers to make
sure that they are registered with their suppliers’ schemes under this Charter to
help ensure that they go into winter with an adequate stock of LPG or identify at
an early opportunity when they might need a further delivery.</p>
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