Easington MP Grahame Morris has written to the Competition and Markets Authority regarding fuel pricing in East Durham and the price differences between neighbouring Asda forecourts.

Asda became the first supermarket in the UK to publish live fuel prices, pre-empting the statutory scheme proposed by the competition watchdog following its investigation into the road fuel market. The Competition and Markets Authority fined Asda £60,000 for failing to comply with the inquiry, which found that supermarkets had increased their profit margins, resulting in prices on average 6p per litre higher than they would have been in a functioning market.

Mr. Morris has been monitoring Asda fuel prices since the data went live, noting the variations between neighbouring Asda forecourts. At the point of launch, Mr. Morris observed a 12p per litre gap, with the current difference between Peterlee and Hartlepool Asda being 5p and 6p per litre for unleaded and diesel, respectively.

Following the publication of his letter to the Competition and Markets Authority, Mr. Morris said:

“Asda prides itself on being a retailer that delivers the best value for customers; however, in East Durham, they abuse their dominance by inflating fuel prices. The distance between Peterlee and Hartlepool is less than 10 miles, but prices are persistently higher for people in my constituency.

Asda has already been found to have inflated prices by increasing profit margins, but it seems that our community is paying an additional premium on top of these inflated prices.

I hope Asda can return to a position of championing the rights of consumers and seek to deliver low prices at a time when all families are struggling with a cost-of-living crisis, rather than seeking to inflate profits during a time of hardship for many.

Fuel is essential; it is not optional in areas like ours that have poor public transport links. All I am asking for is fairness and a level of parity with neighbouring Asda forecourts. I would have preferred Asda to take action themselves, but in the absence of fair fuel prices, I believe this should be an aspect considered by the Competition and Markets Authority.”