Knowledge Centre
18th September 2008

Supermarkets in spotlight over fuel prices

The average price of fuel in the UK has fallen over the last month, but prices on some supermarket forecourts have risen, an AA report has shown.

According to the motoring organisation's September Fuel Price Report, the average price of petrol has fallen by 0.27p and the average price of diesel by 1.32p.

Some of the biggest price cuts were made by Murco - the firm reduced petrol prices by 1.43p and the price of diesel by 2.9p.

However, at Asda and Tesco, petrol rose by 0.08p and 0.69p respectively. Diesel at Morrisons and Tesco increased by 0.85p and 0.69p.

Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland there is a campaign to end 'postcode lottery' pricing, following evidence that some supermarkets have marked up fuel prices at some of their outlets but not others.

A spokeswoman for the RAC Foundation told the Belfast Telegraph that small petrol retailers could benefit from the situation.

"Oil prices are falling at the moment and if some of the smaller local outlets are able to take advantage of this situation, drivers could save twice by not having to go so far to fill up," she said.

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