The forecourt sector was making headlines over the weekend, with industry representatives rebutting accusations that motorists are being ripped off at the pumps in a succession of media appearances.
It followed Friday’s high-profile meeting between Chancellor Rachel Reeves and fuel chiefs, including Petrol Retailers Association executive director Gordon Balmer, to address concerns about rising prices.
Balmer – who had earlier threatened to pull out of the roundtable after accusing ministers of using language he said could put forecourt staff at risk from angry drivers – featured heavily in news reports.
Leaving the meeting at 11 Downing Street, which also included energy secretary Ed Miliband and senior civil servants from the Competition and Markets Authority, Balmer told reporters that that he was happy he had been able to press home the industry’s case.
“I reiterated that we need to be careful what we say in the media. Obviously in times of uncertainty this does impact forecourt staff and they are doing their best to serve the customers,” he said.
A BBC report on Friday featured Essex retailer Goran Raven, who stressed that smaller retailers who lack the ability to pre-buy fuel in bulk were particularly vulnerable to sudden increases in wholesale prices. He said that his staff are having to deal with angry customers and said it was one of the most difficult times for the family business.
In an LBC interview on Friday evening, Forecourt Trader editor Juliet Morrison argued that many forecourts are forced to immediately pass on price rises to protect their businesses and reminded the radio station’s listeners of the value petrol stations provide as a community asset.
Meanwhile, Clare Lafferty sales director of MyAutomate, responsible for the PetrolPrices price comparison app was interviewed on Sky News on Saturday about the relationship between wholesale fuel prices and prices at the pump.
At the meeting on Friday, which included representatives from Asda, BP, ExxonMobil and Shell, Reeves said the group had a “shared obligation” to keep prices down for drivers. And Ed Miliband warned the executives that the government would not tolerate “unfair practices” in the industry.
Balmer concluded afterwards: “It was a very good, constructive meeting. We are anxious to work with the government. We talked about the Fuel Fuel Finder scheme and implementation. We are nearly there with up to 90% of all sites on it.”
An official summary of the meeting said the attendees “agreed to continue working in the shared interest of motorists on this really important issue”.
