Motorists being 'ripped off' at pumps, data suggests

Fuel profit margins at supermarket forecourts ranged from 8 per cent to 9.1 per cent in the quarter to the end of June, and from 9.9 per cent to 10.6 per cent at other retailers.

By CITY & FINANCE REPORTER

Motorists are being 'ripped off at the pumps' as retailers cash in, figures suggest.

Fuel profit margins at supermarket forecourts ranged from 8 per cent to 9.1 per cent in the quarter to the end of June, and from 9.9 per cent to 10.6 per cent at other retailers.

Paying a premium: Motorists are being 'ripped off at the pumps' as retailers cash in

That compares with 4 per cent back in 2017, the analysis by the Competition and Markets Authority showed. 

Its senior director of markets, Dan Turnbull, said: 'What's deeply concerning is that fuel margins – a key indicator of retailer profit – remain far above historic levels.'

And the AA's Luke Bosdet said: 'UK consumers will be incensed by confirmation of what they suspected – that they continue to be ripped off.'

The price of a litre of petrol rose 1.9p to 133.9p in the three months to August 31.