How Dare They Make Money Out Of Misery

‘Absolute disgrace’ motorists ripped off by inflated petrol prices, says ex-minister

- Giles Sheldrick

Greedy fuel bosses ripping off desperate drivers with ramped-up pump prices have been branded an “absolute disgrace”.

Petrol shot up to more than 150p a litre at hundreds of filling stations – while one site charged 208.5p, but still ran dry.

Former roads minister Sir Mike Penning said: “Motorists are being ripped off by companies who are already making millions from us.”

The Tory MP added: “Some firms are cashing in on a crisis.” The RAC called the rises a “bleak picture for drivers”.

Panic buying began as a lack of tanker drivers stopped fuel supplies getting through to some filling stations last week. BP said on Thursday night it had to shut a handful temporarily – sparking a stampede to the forecourts.

Motorists are ripped off...they’re seen as a cash cow

Simon Williams, of the RAC, said some retailers were “taking advantage of the current delivery situation by hiking prices. When it comes to pump prices, it’s a pretty bleak picture for drivers”.

While Howard Cox, founder of the FairFuelUK campaign, said: “I am hearing 5p to 10p increases [per litre] are the norm.

“Several garages have contacted us in confidence saying greedy wholesalers are pushing up bulk supply prices, not based on oil costs but because of this latest panic demand.”

The cost of filling an average family car’s 55-litre fuel tank has soared to at least £75 in many parts of the country. Sir Mike Penning, Tory MP for Hemel Hempstead, added: “It’s an absolute disgrace that motorists are being ripped off by companies who are already making millions from us. Some are cashing in on a crisis.