The PRA has slammed a proposal by a group of MPs for an independent fuel price watchdog to be called Pumpwatch to monitor the cost of petrol and diesel. The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Fair Fuel suggested petrol stations that charge "fair prices" would be entitled to display a kitemark logo.
The proposal follows a petition organised by pressure group FairFuel UK. It has so far collected 14,700 signatures.
PRA chairman Brian Madderson described the proposal as "totally impracticable and nonsensical". He said: "It is not the first time a ’Pumpwatch’ supervisory body has been called for. PRA regards it as unnecessary. The proper body to look into unfair pricing of retail fuel would be the Competition and Markets Authority. It has no plans to launch a new inquiry as its previous inquiry found no evidence to support anti-competitive pricing allegations." He added that no government body should be able to enforce control of fuel margins across such disparate businesses as it would restrict fair trade principles.
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