'ARROGANT' fuel retailers have come under fire as motorists in Inverclyde continue to pay over the odds to fill up at the pump in spite of the cost-of-living crisis.

MSP Stuart McMillan, who has campaigned for fairer petrol and diesel prices in Inverclyde, says a new report shows drivers are still being overcharged.

Mr McMillan's efforts resulted in the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) carrying out a road fuel market survey last year which revealed that supermarket's fuel margins are double what they were in 2019.

The latest CMA update highlights fuel margins are still significantly above historic levels, while supermarkets' fuel margins are roughly double what they were five years ago.

Mr McMillan said: "It’s hugely disappointing that drivers continue to be ripped off by fuel retailers who, during a cost-of-living crisis, are choosing to prioritise profit rather than giving their customers a helping hand."

The CMA's initial survey results were published in the summer of 2023, when the organisation promised to publish an interim report every four months thereafter.

The CMA's interim reports update consumers on the average pump prices, including retail spread, fuel margins, and relative average pump prices between different types of retailer and between each supermarket.

The total cost to all drivers from the increase in fuel margins since 2019 was £1.6 billion in 2023 alone, and according to the latest CMA update, competition among fuel retailers is continuing to fail customers.

Mr McMillan said: "The information that the CMA receives to enable them to monitor the market is supplied voluntarily by fuel retailers, so they know they’re handing over data which shows they’re not charging competitive prices at their pumps.

“This shows just how arrogant the road fuel sector is when it comes to fuel prices.

"It’s positive that some major players in the sector have started to integrate this into consumer facing products, like apps.

"However, the current scheme only covers 40 per cent of fuel retail sites and is not comprehensive enough to be utilised by map apps or sat navs to bring live, accurate information to people.

“This would have a substantial impact on the market, so I welcome the CMA’s continued efforts to lobby the UK Government to introduce an enhanced interim voluntary scheme that is as close to the final scheme as possible, while they await legislation to come into force.

“Legislation takes time, so I’m joining the CMA’s calls and urging the new Labour UK Government to make a real difference here and speed up this process so that laws can be put on the statute books to stop fuel retailers from ripping off the people of Inverclyde and beyond."