INVERCLYDE'S MSP says change is needed now to ensure fairer fuel prices following a 'damning' report into the perceived 'rip-off culture' at forecourts across the country.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published its findings today after a probe into the cost of fuel for UK motorists, with the watchdog revealing that British drivers paid out 6p per litre at the pump more than they should have under proper competition in 2022.

The CMA report recommends the UK Government introduce a series of measures to help consumers - including instant access to forecourt prices and a monitoring body.

Stuart McMillan, SNP MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, spearheaded a Fair Fuel Watch campaign which highlighted the cheapest fuel pump prices in the constituency, compared to the least expensive rates elsewhere, and backed the calls for urgent action.

He said: "Today's report shows clearly that a lack of easily accessible information has resulted in consumers paying over-inflated prices for their fuel.

"The UK Government has presided over this scandal for too long. They must urgently implement the recommendations and finally ensure fair fuel prices for the public.

"The impact of inflated fuel prices for those on lower incomes and the most vulnerable is staggering.

"I have made the case for years about the postcode lottery that surrounds fuel prices in my constituency - and today's report shows this problem is not an isolated one."

A suggested new fuel finder scheme would enable drivers access to live, station-by-station fuel prices on their phones or satnavs to help revitalise competition in the retail road fuel market, made possible by new compulsory open data requirements and backed by a new ‘fuel monitor’ oversight body.

Mr McMillan added: "As the Tory-made cost of living crisis deepens, a fuel finder scheme would go some way to alleviating soaring fuel costs - but supermarkets, in particular, must now act to deliver fairer prices to the consumer following this damning report.

"The shameful inaction of the UK Government only highlights the urgent need for Scotland to have the full powers of independence, to protect consumers' rights for good."

Inverclyde's MP, Ronnie Cowan, said the result of the CMA's long-awaited probe into fuel prices has vindicated his constituents' claims of a 'rip-off' culture at the forecourt.

The fellow SNP man has described the higher prices in Inverclyde as 'unacceptable greedflation' and said he is furious that some operators appear to have used sky-high inflation as cover to hike prices and boost profits.

Mr Cowan said: "Inflation is bad enough, sky-high inflation is even worse, but the thought that some big companies sought ways to profit from this severe economic crisis is something my constituents will not forget.

"Many contacted my office over these rip-off prices and they were right to do so.

"I wrote to the supermarkets, and while some did engage with me, others were very reluctant to.

"What I got back were wishy-washy answers on market forces and various other smoke and mirror pledges to look into matters.

"But no one answered my question on why if I live in Inverclyde I should pay significantly more for a litre than if I live elsewhere in Scotland when buying from the same company.

"I said last year that I would hold the government to account on this, and that my constituents would hold these companies to account.

"The CMA has agreed with my constituents, which comes as no surprise."

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Soaring prices in Inverclyde were demonstrably much higher than in other areas in Scotland, including nearby Renfrewshire.

The MP says the higher prices here attacked already strained household budgets and put small businesses in Inverclyde at a severe disadvantage.

He added: "A new monitoring body for fuel prices is great. But it will have to have real powers to call these operators to account.

"From now on I expect to see fuel prices in Inverclyde set at the same lower prices as elsewhere in the country.

"This should be a warning to supermarkets on food prices too.

"Cost are soaring much more than the already high inflation rate, and my constituents may, with good reason, suspect that there is an element of 'greedflation' going on here too.

"Big companies should not be boosting profits by using inflation as a screen."