The rising price of fuel has disproportionately impacted rural areas, where supermarkets face fresh accusations of overcharging customers.
- Rural drivers are reportedly paying between 10p and 15p more per litre for fuel than their urban counterparts.
- Amid rising global fuel costs, petrol prices have surged to the highest level since February, with diesel following suit.
- Government scrutiny and calls for transparency have been directed at major supermarkets accused of fuelling price discrepancies.
- Despite supermarket efforts to publish fuel prices online, significant regional differences in pricing persist.
The rising cost of fuel has emerged as a greater burden on drivers in rural areas, with supermarkets being scrutinised for allegedly overcharging customers at their forecourts. According to The AA, these drivers are charged, on average, between 10p and 15p more per litre of petrol compared to those in urban locations, substantially impacting their daily commuting expenses.
The current fuel prices reflect a significant increase, with petrol now costing 149.13p per litre, marking the highest level since February, and diesel prices reaching 150p for the first time since May. The Automobile Association attributes this surge primarily to global production cuts, notably from Russia and Saudi Arabia, affecting the supply chain extensively.
Despite these price hikes, the UK Government has been actively engaging with major fuel retailers and supermarkets, such as Asda, Tesco, Morrisons, and Sainsbury’s, in efforts spearheaded by the Energy Secretary Grant Shapps, to enhance price transparency across the sector. The intention is to mitigate the financial strain on consumers and instigate fairer practices.
Luke Bosdet, The AA’s spokesperson on pump prices, addressed the issue with The Guardian, highlighting that “bad habits are proving hard to shake off among the UK’s fuel retailers” despite governmental and competitive scrutiny. He pointed out that though supermarkets have historically undercut local stations by a tiny margin, this practice has stifled competition, particularly in higher-priced rural areas.
In a move towards greater transparency, Asda has initiated the online publication of its forecourt fuel prices, setting a precedent among retailers. However, despite such efforts, regional discrepancies in fuel costs remain stark, underscoring a broader issue within the industry’s pricing structures.
The current landscape suggests a pressing need for enhanced transparency and competition in fuel pricing to alleviate the financial burden on rural consumers.
