Rising fuel bills are motorists major concern.
The Competition and Markets Authority has set out plans to step up monitoring of petrol and diesel prices.
Firms responsible for thousands of fuel stations across the country have today been put on notice that formal requirements to supply revenue, costs and sales data will be brought forward. This will accelerate the CMA’s review of fuel margins made by businesses since the conflict began.
When the data is available, the CMA will also consider how quickly fuel prices rise and fall as wholesale costs change, and whether there is evidence of so-called “rocket and feather” pricing.
The CMA recognises that businesses across the economy are likely to face significant pressures from rising energy costs which may impact prices. However, fuel stations should not exploit the situation – any evidence of this will be made clear in the CMA’s update on pricing, which will be published as soon as possible.
Juliette Enser, Executive Director for Markets, said, “Whilst price increases might be inevitable because of rising wholesale costs, it is important that those increases reflect genuine cost pressures.
“We will be closely scrutinising and reporting on what’s happening with fuel prices and call out any concerning behaviour.For the avoidance of doubt, the CMA does not set or approve retailers’ fuel prices.”
