Fuel retailers have been accused of using the “distraction” of the general election to keep petrol and diesel prices “persistently high”.

The RAC said the cost of filling up at the pumps was “far higher” than would normally be expected as wholesale costs had fallen since the end of April.

The average price of a litre of petrol across the UK is currently 146.3p, which is “5p more expensive than it should be”, according to the motoring firm.

It said the average price for the same product was 141.1p in Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile, a litre of diesel in the UK costs an average of 151.5p – the most expensive in Europe – while in Northern Ireland the price is 141.9p, the RAC claimed.

Its head of policy Simon Williams said: “Margins are once again staying persistently high, and drivers are paying the price.

“Our data clearly shows that pump prices haven’t fallen in line with the reduction in wholesale prices, so drivers across the UK – with the exception of those in Northern Ireland where fairer prices are charged – are once again losing several pounds every time they fill up.

“We believe there’s no good reason for retailers in Great Britain not cutting their prices at the pumps far further.

“We can only think they’re hoping no one will notice due to the distraction of the general election.”

Read more from business:
Post Office campaigner given knighthood
Barclays to ‘step back’ from festival sponsorships
Dozens of food products recalled over E.coli risk

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

The RAC said retailers’ margins – the differences between what they paid for fuel and the pump price – were 14p per litre for petrol and 16p per litre for diesel.

The long-term average for both fuels is 8p per litre.

Mr Williams said the firm hoped the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is “aware of what is going on and will use this to bring retailers into line as soon as it’s able to”.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

An investigation by the regulator into supermarket petrol station prices found last year that increased profit margins had led to drivers paying an extra 6p per litre for fuel in 2022.

In March the CMA said margins remained “concerning”.

Prices are usually cheaper in Northern Ireland than in the rest of the UK, partly due to competition from forecourts in the Republic of Ireland.

Independent fuel retailers have said higher business rates, energy bills and wages have all contributed to higher costs.

Sky News has approached the CMA and the Petrol Retailers Association for comment.

Related posts:

Buyout tycoon Hands plots £300m takeover of housebuilder Hopkins Homes Planes, trains and automobiles (ferries too) likely to endure Easter travel chaos Sunak was already under pressure from cost of living crisis – the GDP figures might force him to act ‘We will keep going until we get a negotiated settlement’, vows union boss Mick Lynch amid rail strikes ‘Doom loop’ as pound is pounded: Five reasons why the currency slump matters to you Middlemen, brokers and clients – who really pays MPs for their other jobs? Watch Ian King live CBI pension trustees weigh options with lobby group’s fate in balance UK overtakes France and Germany as economic growth bigger than expected after COVID Premier League halts EFL ‘New Deal’ talks amid funding dispute Middle East tensions and anti-sexting campaign Bank of England to grow ‘northern hub’ with 500 staff