A motoring group has accused petrol retailers of abusing their “essential” status as government figures show little let-up in demand despite prices hovering at record levels.

The AA said that data from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) showing that petrol sales remained at 94% of normal levels demonstrated how vital fuel was to the travelling public who, it added, were clearly being treated unfairly.

The sentiment was echoed by the RAC which demanded a 5p a litre cut to unleaded costs at the pumps to more fairly reflect the wholesale costs they were paying for their stocks.

Cost of living latest: Inflation to hit UK harder than any other major economy, BoE warns

The pair spoke out shortly after the latest Experian Catalist data covering average fuel prices showed little change on Wednesday to the previous day.

It put petrol at 191.3p and the average cost of a litre of diesel at 199.02p.

The BEIS data showed that total fuel sales were at 90% of normal levels, when diesel was included, despite the price levels and wider cost of living crisis.

Cost of living: Chancellor sees ‘challenging times ahead’ amid record disposable income squeeze

‘Surprising amount of momentum’ for housing market as prices hit new record

Some Kraft Heinz baked beans and ketchup products unavailable in Tesco stores after pricing dispute

Head of roads policy at the AA, Jack Couzens, responded: “This is an astounding statistic that underlines just how essential petrol is to the UK consumer, and how critical the cost of road fuel is to families up and down the country.

“There are businesses across UK retail and commerce that would give their right arm to have 94% sales in a cost of living crisis. The fuel trade should consider itself very lucky and treat its customers more fairly.”

The RAC’s fuel price spokesman, Simon Williams, added: “So-called ‘rocket and feather’ pricing – where retailers are quick to put up their prices in a rising market but slow to reduce them in a falling one – appears to be well and truly alive, much to the detriment of every driver who depends on their car.

“Major retailers really need to cut their prices now, and going forwards they need to reduce them as soon as wholesale prices drop to give drivers confidence they’re not being taken for a ride every time they fill up.”

The retailers – facing a Competition and Markets Authority investigation into pricing – have consistently denied that the public is being ripped off and insisted profit margins are tiny.

The sector has pointed to multiple additional costs facing operators – costs that every business is having to bear – which include higher wages and energy prices.

The Petrol Retailers Association, which represents independent forecourts, was contacted for comment.

It said this week that its membership was also having to bear a 60% rise in drive-off incidents so far this year.

Fuel theft, it said, meant retailers would lose £25m if the current rate continued for the next 12 months.

Related posts:

The PM’s plans to cut air passenger duty go against his ‘build back green’ mantra VW-backed ride-hailing service Gett weighs SPAC deal John Lewis warns of more store closures as pandemic deals hammer blow to sales Hammerson bids ‘au revoir’ to French joint ventures House prices jump, Barclays boost, and AstraZeneca profits up Rolls-Royce clinches £1.5bn sale of ITP Aero division Calls for key workers to be prioritised for fuel – but who should be front of the queue? Wagamama owner warns bounce-back in consumer confidence after Plan B may take a while AnyVan picks up former Just Eat backer for £125m fundraising Sainsbury’s warns profits will be hit by cost of living crisis ‘Recovery has not yet begun’: Car production continues to fall in the UK US economy records surprise contraction during first quarter but big rate hike still on the cards