Forecourt retailers have been accused of ‘fleecing’ customers by increasing fuel profits by 240% to 14.5p per litre, despite falling oil prices.  

A petition set up by independent campaigners FairFuel UK has called for fairer retail pricing through the creation of the ‘PumpWatch’ watchdog. 

The body has claimed average retail profits for petrol rose by 97.4% to 14.5p per litre between 1 October and 30 November. 

In the same period, average diesel margins rose by 240% to 15.65p per litre. It claimed oil prices dropped by 31% to £45 during this time. 

The campaign, which has more than 14,000 signatures, has received support from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Fair Fuel for UK Motorists and UK Hauliers.

However, Budgens forecourt retailer Adam Hogwood told RN these levels were not representative of the entire industry. “This is more representative of rural areas where retailers can charge more because there’s less competition,” he said. 

“There are supermarkets near my forecourt in Kent and price is driven by competition here. The petition really needs to examine the supermarkets and stop them undercutting other retailers.”

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