Petrol Retailers Association calls for Fuel Duty freeze in wake of rising oil prices

The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) is calling on the Government to abandon a scheduled rise in fuel duty because of ongoing global fuel supply pressures as a result of the Iran War.

Recent re-escalations of the conflict have seen Brent Crude futures go past $100 per barrel for the first time since May, and the price has continued to rise. As of September 28, the price was $106.97.

The PRA said it was impossible for forecourt operators to absorb these levels of wholesale price increases without putting their businesses at risk, so these increases will be reflected in prices paid at the pump. Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the PRA, said: “Retailers understand the pressures motorists are facing, but they cannot absorb sustained increases in wholesale fuel costs. With prices continuing to rise, we are urging the Chancellor to abandon the planned fuel duty increase [due at the start of 2027] and avoid adding further pressure at the pump.”