Asda cuts fuel prices by up to 3p a litre in new price war

  • Asda has reduced price of unleaded by up to 3p per litre and diesel by up to 2p
  • Comes after claims retailers were refusing to pass on a drop in wholesale costs
  • The new national price cap means drivers will pay no more than £1.25 per litre for unleaded and £1.28 for diesel at its 318 filling stations

Asda has cut fuel prices by up to 3p a litre following claims that retailers were refusing to pass on a drop in wholesale costs.

The supermarket giant has today reduced the price of unleaded by up to 3p per litre and diesel by up to 2p. The new national price cap means drivers will pay no more than £1.25 per litre for unleaded and £1.28 for diesel at its 318 filling stations.

Drivers have suffered a rise in fuel prices almost every day since the end of April despite wholesale costs coming down by around 2.5p per litre since May 24.

Asda has cut fuel prices by up to 3p a litre following claims that retailers were refusing to pass on a drop in wholesale costs. The new national price cap means drivers will pay no more than £1.25 per litre for unleaded and £1.28 for diesel at its 318 filling stations (stock image)

The RAC says recent falls in wholesale costs have been caused by the US drilling for more oil than in recent years, increased output from Russia and speculation that oil producing group Opec will end its restriction on production.

On Monday, average UK forecourt prices stood at £1.29 per litre for unleaded and £1.33 for diesel – the most expensive both have been since September 2014.

Asda chief executive Roger Burnley said: ‘We know that the cost of living is centre of mind for our customers and we will always do whatever we can to reduce that burden.

‘Customers can trust us to lead the way when it comes to lowering the price of fuel and putting cash back in their pocket.’

RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: ‘At last, retailers have done the right thing and started to cut prices at the pumps. From our data, we could see no justification for them holding on to savings that they have been benefiting from for three weeks.

‘With petrol prices rising at their fastest rate in 18 years last month, millions of households and businesses will have been feeling the effect of having to spend more on what is an essential purchase for many. Today’s cuts should bring some welcome relief.

‘It is absolutely right that at times when wholesale prices are falling, forecourt prices follow suit.’

The news comes as the chief executives of Sainsbury’s and Asda have been summoned before MPs to answer questions on how the supermarkets’ proposed £12 billion merger will impact farmers, suppliers and consumers. 

Sainsbury’s Mike Coupe and Asda’s Roger Burnley will appear before the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee on June 20, with the treatment of suppliers to be a focus of the grilling. 

A merger between the duo, the UK’s number two and three supermarkets, will create a supermarket titan bigger than Tesco with revenues of £51 billion and a network of 2,800 Sainsbury’s, Asda and Argos stores. 

 

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