PRA is well placed to press its case in the wake of new appointments to head all the government departments that have most impact on fuel retailers, according to PRA chairman Brian Madderson.

He said: "I’m pleased that earlier this year RMI, with PRA, appointed new political lobbyists Pepper Public Affairs.

"We will need their expertise going forward to quickly establish relationships with the key departments for petrol retailers, which all have new secretaries of state... We will be well placed to forward our aims robustly and efficiently."