RAC CALLS ON REGULATORS TO TAKE ACTION ON HIGH PETROL AND DIESEL PRICES – Retailers accused of keeping prices high for ‘no good reason’

Fuel retailers have been accused of using the “distraction” of the upcoming general election in July 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.