Greedy petrol bosses warned to lower pump prices or face ministers’ wrath

GREEDY petrol bosses have been warned to lower pump prices or face ministers’ wrath.

New Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho sent them a scathing letter.

She wrote: “I will not hesitate to call out unfair retailers.”

Concerns are growing that drivers are not seeing the benefit of both falling wholesale costs and the 5p fuel duty cut.

Ms Coutinho has ordered officials to press ahead with a legal Pumpwatch scheme that will force forecourts to have their prices independently monitored.

While new laws are drawn up to make this compulsory, retailers have been urged to sign up to a voluntary system.

The Tory rising star said: “With the current global situation, it is as important as ever that consumers can trust businesses to remain fair in their approach to pricing.

“I know families are continuing to face cost of living pressures and it is important that retailers pass on fuel price savings at the pump as quickly as possible.

"I will be monitoring prices closely.”

She warned that watchdogs would come down hard on any rogue pricing.

The RAC also warned that the effects of last year's 5p duty cut — after our Keep It Down campaign — were not being felt by motorists.