AA: Fuel retailers 'plundering' drivers pockets with rising petrol costs

Motoring group the AA has accused fuel retailers of "plundering drivers' pockets" after the price of fuel was put up, whereas oil fell in value by almost 5%.

Over the course of the last month, the petrol price rose from 111.92p a litre to 113.29p and the average diesel price per litre went from 118.19p to 118.83p. This rise comes in spite of the fact that a barrel of oil fell from $58.5 to $55.7.

Edmund King, president of the AA, said: "Cars are like blank cheques for whoever feels the need to balance the books by plundering drivers' pockets.

"Motorists prop up the Treasury to the tune of 10% of the UK's total tax-take, and now the fuel retailers are taking £3 a tank extra on diesel to steady their finances. Manifestos promise action and transparency on domestic energy bills but nothing on road fuel price transparency."

Although the price of oil has fallen, wholesale prices are on the rise. It is worth noting that oil is bought and sold with dollars, which has gained on a weaker pound.