HARLOW’S Member of Parliament, Robert Halfon, has welcomed Government plans to introduce a real-time fuel pump price watch. Motorists will soon be able to check prices across multiple local filling stations, thanks to a Government-backed website that will expose rogue retailers who regularly overcharge drivers. 

A change in the law will soon force petrol retailers, including the big-four supermarkets, to provide up-to-date pricing information, improving transparency and fuelling competition, driving down fuel prices and cutting the cost of living. Drivers will be able to easily see the most competitive local suppliers to help them choose the cheapest station to fill up at. 

Commenting on the plans, Robert Halfon said, “This is excellent news. Since being elected to Parliament in 2010, I have successfully campaigned for eleven years to freeze and reduce fuel duty (successfully seeing a 5p cut in fuel duty in last year’s budget), to help keep prices low for Harlow drivers. Lower and fairer fuel prices will drive down inflation and cut the cost of living.

“As a backbencher, I led the campaign for Pumpwatch. Too many retailers are fast to charge more when prices rocket, but are too slow to pass on savings to motorists when prices fall. It isn’t fair that hard working, local people have to pick up the tab as businesses benefit from boosted profits.

“I am delighted with today’s announcement that will save Harlow families, white van men and women and commuters more.”

This decisive action by the Government follows the Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) report that shows some supermarkets inflating prices by 6p per litre of fuel – this equates to £75 million of additional revenues for wealthy shareholders every month. 

This is the latest part of the Government’s plan to halve inflation and cut the cost of living – one of the Prime Minister’s five priorities – and comes just days after the Chancellor met with regulators, including the CMA, to ensure consumers are treated fairly, lowering prices and help those struggling the balance the books.