“Petrol and diesel prices remain volatile as retailers strive to remain competitive amidst rising costs and declining fuel sales,“ said Gordon Balmer, executive director of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), commenting on the RAC’s monthly report of UK fuel prices.
“As pump prices continue to rise, members of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) are witnessing a troubling surge in fuel drive-offs”, says Gordon Balmer, executive director of the Association. He adds: “This isn’t just a financial concern, it’s a safety and security issue that impacts our communities.
On 8 November, the Petrol Retailers Association wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, regarding the 5p per litre fuel duty cut introduced in March. Gordon Balmer, executive director of the PRA, said: “Skyrocketing energy prices have had a devastating impact on household finances. When every penny counts, it is crucial that the 5ppl fuel duty cut introduced in March of is maintained.
The Petrol Retailers Association is feeling aggrieved at what it considers as unjust and inaccurate criticism of its members from those in Government. Gordon Balmer, executive director of the PRA, explained his members’ feelings thus: “The briefings provided by Government spokespeople to the media indicate that Ministers do not understand how fuel prices are set. We have contacted the Secretary of State for BEIS on multiple occasions offering to meet and explain fuel pricing. However, we are yet to receive a response.”
Commenting on recent rises in the price of fuel, Gordon Balmer, executive director of the Petrol Retailers Association, said: “Despite all fuel retailers passing on the 5p cut in fuel duty after the Spring Statement, wholesale fuel prices have continued to rise. This has resulted in a tightening of margins for petrol retailers, while the Exchequer has benefitted from substantially higher VAT receipts. For every 10p that the price rises, the Chancellor claims back an extra 2p in VAT.
“The PRA is pleased to see that forecourt crime is now back on the police’s agenda, following a productive meeting with chief constable Simon Cole of the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC)”, said Brian Madderson, chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA).
With over £5 billion year higher costs to consumer from rapidly rising fuel costs, Brian Madderson, Chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) has again written to the chancellor of the exchequer to state the overwhelming case for a three pence per litre cut in duty in his Autumn Statement.
March diesel sales were up by 7.9 per cent, petrol sales up by a surprising 5.6 per cent and overall sales including commercial up by 7.0 per cent versus same month last year. “Latest Government data suggests that increased economic activity and cheaper prices had a significant impact on the demand for fuel in the month to 14 March”, said Brian Madderson, chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association.
A Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) member has successfully appealed via the First Tier Tax Tribunal against HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) imposition of unreasonable conditions, to obtain an excise duty Deferment Account Number (DAN) for Oil Products.
After persistent lobbying from the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) published a consultation document on 17 June regarding the reimbursement of duty on petrol subject to vapour recovery, Brian Madderson, PRA chairman comments.
“The PRA welcomes the news that seventeen of the UK’s most rural communities are a step closer to getting up to a 5p per litre fuel price cut. The government’s Rural Fuel Rebate scheme has today cleared the major hurdle gaining European Commission (EC) approval”, said Brian Madderson, chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association.
The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) has raised their concerns following comments that the industry will be warned for the first time by the Treasury to pass on price cuts to motorists. Chief secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander has vowed to write to all main fuel suppliers and distributors for “assurance” that they will pass on the benefits of falling crude oil prices to consumers “as quickly as possible”.
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