Inverclyde's MSP says fuel providers acting like a 'cartel'

Stuart McMillan, MSP for Inverclyde, decided to take the controversial issue to Holyrood after data published in the Telegraph revealed that forecourt prices in the area remain significantly higher than anywhere else in Scotland.

According to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), who are currently investigating forecourt prices here, the costs are due to 'external factors' such as the on-going war in Ukraine.

However, the SNP politician says there is no valid explanation for the variation between Inverclyde and neighbouring areas like Renfrewshire, where motorists are paying around 12 pence less per litre.

Mr McMillan said: "Petrol prices across all fuel courts would be similar to what Inverclyde is if the pricing was down to the conflict in Europe. Right now people here are being ripped off compared to other parts of Scotland."

He also slammed local forecourt providers - particularly BP, Tesco, and Morrisons - for 'acting like a cartel.'

The MSP for Inverclyde added: "I’d say 'if it acts like a cartel, talks like a cartel and rips off my constituents like a cartel,' then people need to make their own mind up what it is.

"The ‘Greed is Good’ mantra clearly exists with Tesco, Morrisons and BP when it comes to ripping off this area."

Fellow MSPs Jamie Greene, Paul O'Kane and Neil Bibby also told the debate that operators in Inverclyde must move to match neighbouring areas.

Mr Bibby said: "There is no doubt that the rising cost of filling up a car is impacting on households across the country, but none more so than those living in the towns and villages of Inverclyde, who are paying on average the highest fuel costs in Scotland.

"The average price of petrol in Greenock sits at nearly 175 pence per litre. That’s almost 10 pence higher than the UK average and 22 pence more than in Kilmarnock. Inverclyde should not be drawing the short straw."

The Scottish Government says it welcomes the CMA's probe and that it will support the body as required.

Tom Arthur - Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth - said: "The Scottish Government has raised inconsistent pricing in between urban and rural areas and in particular areas of Scotland such as Inverclyde with the CMA as a key issue for the investigation."

The MSP for Renfrewshire South also said he acknowledges that people 'cannot wait that length of time' for the CMA's report, and is urging the UK Government to take action, including a change in VAT to lower prices at fuel pumps, and a 'windfall tax' for petrol companies.

Mr Arthur added: "We will continue to encourage the UK Government to use the levers at their disposal to address the gaps in support for the people and businesses.

"In the meantime, I can assure members we are doing everything we can with the powers we have to grow and transform our economy to deliver a fairer, greener country for the people of Inverclyde and for those all across Scotland."