Fuel price falls don’t go far enough

RAC Fuel Watch has found that although petrol and diesel prices fell for the second month in a row they have not come down as much as they should have.

Petrol prices fell 3p to 145p a litre and diesel nearly 4p to 150p a litre in June, but lower wholesale prices mean the decreases should have been more.

By comparison, petrol in Northern Ireland is 140p and diesel is 142p

Meanwhile, the Fuel Watch analysis revealed that average petrol prices across the four big supermarkets are 142p with diesel at 147p, while Shell charges 149p and 155p and BP charges 146p and 152p.

Fuel prices

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “While it’s good news prices at the pumps have fallen for the second month in a row, this also leaves a bad taste in the mouth because we know drivers in Great Britain are continuing to get a raw deal as both petrol and diesel are still much more expensive than in Northern Ireland.

“This month’s Fuel Watch report also reveals just how expensive fuel is when bought at forecourts owned and run by oil giants Shell and BP. We remain baffled how the very same fuel can be sold for such vastly different prices by the biggest retailers, whether they’re run by supermarkets or the world’s largest oil companies.

“It’s also the case that while oil has increased, wholesale costs are still low enough to merit cheaper prices at the pumps. Looking at the fairer average prices charged in Northern Ireland, petrol should be 4.5p lower across England, Scotland and Wales and diesel should be a whole 8p less.”