Petrol station operators have pushed back against accusations of profiteering after ministers criticised rising fuel prices.
The Petrol Retailers Association said recent comments from Rachel Reeves and Ed Miliband about alleged “price gouging” had led to abuse being directed at staff working on forecourts.
Government data released this week showed petrol prices have increased at their fastest pace since the early months of the Russian invasion of Ukraine four years ago.
According to the RAC, the average price of petrol has risen to 140.15p per litre — up 7.32p since the Middle East conflict began.
Reeves said the government would not tolerate “price gouging” by petrol stations, a position echoed by Miliband.
However, Gordon Balmer said he had written to the Chancellor requesting a private meeting to explain how fuel markets operate.
Balmer warned that strong public rhetoric about “rip-offs” and “profiteering” had inflamed tensions and contributed to incidents where retail staff had been verbally abused by customers.
He added that many petrol retailers are operating on extremely thin margins — and in some cases negative ones — while working to ensure motorists and businesses continue to receive the fuel they need.
Image @Nick_Loughlin_ : Washington Motorway Services, operated by Moto, is located on the A1(M) between Junctions 64 and 65 near Tyne and Wear.
