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  "path": "/lifestyle/cars/petrol-diesel-drivers-high-fuel-costs-competition",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-01T11:51:45.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Motorists to see national speed limits dropped to 20mph in Oxfordshire under plans to promote cycling",
    "UK risks 'devastating consequences' as EU threatens £69billion car industry with 'trade friction'",
    "New MOT test changes introduced today will be 'significant step forward' for drivers",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nConflict in the Middle East has been identified as the largest contributor to soaring fuel prices, exonerating retailers from accusations of profiteering, according to a new report.\n\nThe latest road fuel report from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) states that there was \"no evidence\" that retailers were altering prices to take advantage of the oil crisis.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nDespite this, it noted that a lack of effective competition remains a concern, with the CMA vowing to look at whether improved supply conditions were reflected in lower retail prices over the coming weeks.\n\nFresh data from RAC Fuel Watch states that drivers are paying an average of 159.37p per litre for unleaded petrol and 183.75p for diesel.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nPrices are starting to fall again, with diesel sinking 7.8p since its peak on April 15. Petrol prices reached their highest level at the end of May, although they have dropped by almost a penny in the days since.\n\nDrivers are forking out £87.65 for a standard 55-litre family car when filling up with petrol, while diesel drivers are facing costs above the dreaded £100 mark (£101.06).\n\nSince the outbreak of war in Iran, motorists across the UK have seen petrol prices rise by 20 per cent and diesel jump by 29.1 per cent.\n\nAnalysis from the CMA suggests that elevated wholesale prices continue to explain the hike in pump prices in March and April.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nOther factors also played a role in higher prices at the pumps, including wholesale price volatility, supply constraints and increases in demand.\n\nSupermarkets and other major retailers were found to have their average fuel margins stay at historically high levels, with drivers bearing the brunt of the costs.\n\nThe CMA said it remained concerned that high retail margins \"reflect a continuation of the weak competitive dynamics\" first identified in its report from 2023.\n\nSarah Cardell, chief executive of the CMA, acknowledged the impact of high fuel prices on drivers still dealing with the cost of living crisis.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Motorists to see national speed limits dropped to 20mph in Oxfordshire under plans to promote cycling\n  * UK risks 'devastating consequences' as EU threatens £69billion car industry with 'trade friction'\n  * New MOT test changes introduced today will be 'significant step forward' for drivers\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nShe added: \"While our analysis shows the rise in wholesale prices is the main reason for higher fuel prices, we remain concerned about weak competition in the sector, leaving drivers paying more.\n\n\"Retailers should be in no doubt that we are continuing to monitor prices and margins closely and expect any reductions in wholesale prices to be rapidly and fully passed on to drivers.\"\n\nSupermarkets generally remained the cheapest places to buy fuel, with motorway service stations, unsurprisingly, being the most expensive forecourts.\n\nThe CMA outlined that its next update would come in August, when conflict in the Middle East could ease and bring oil prices down around the world.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIt added that it would engage directly with retailers to conduct a more detailed assessment of pricing strategies, given ongoing concerns about weak price competition.\n\nMs Cardell highlighted how drivers could save an impressive £9 per tank when using the Government's Fuel Finder tool, offering huge benefits.\n\nThe service shows drivers where they can find the cheapest fuel in their area, with forecourts expected to update their pricing data within 30 minutes of a change.\n\nLabour has confirmed that it is working with its partners to ensure the pricing technology is rolled out for sat navs and other map applications so drivers can see the lowest prices while on the road.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Petrol and diesel drivers slapped with expensive fuel costs due to 'weak competition' at pumps"
}