PRA defends higher fuel prices
The Petrol Retailers Association has defended retailers accused of not passing on fuel saving to customers during lockdown.
It says that these have been immensely difficult times which have required difficult decisions, adding that it believes the fuel retailing industry has given the UK outstanding service throughout this unprecedented pandemic.
Brian Madderson, chairman of the PRA, said: “The covid-19 lockdown from late March saw fuel volumes across the UK drop instantly and dramatically. Reports of reductions up to 85 to 90% against normal levels were noted from smaller independents. This is significantly higher than the BEIS daily average figure, which was closer to 70%. The BEIS daily average still indicates the severity of the business loss to operators.
“Filling stations that did not operate on wider margins at this time would have had to close – and many would have closed forever. We support our members in doing what was needed to remain viable businesses to protect their staff and to provide continuing service to their customers, including many NHS and other essential key workers, at a time when so many firms were going out of business.
“BEIS collected fuel volumes primarily from oil companies, supermarkets and very large independent filling stations (excluding Northern Ireland). This resulted in a higher daily average than if all independent volumes were included and it is crucial to note that this was acknowledged by the government.”
