Petrol retailers in row with government over 'rip off' accusations 1 day ago Share Save Faisal Islam , Economics editor , Lucy Hooker and Mitchell Labiak , Business reporters Share Save Getty Images Petrol forecourt retailers have hit out at the government's "inflammatory language" on profiteering since the oil price surge following the US-Israel war with Iran, arguing that it has led to staff abuse. The jump in oil costs has caused petrol prices to jump to an 18-month high, according to motoring organisation, the RAC. It has prompted the government to say the competition watchdog was primed to step in to stop "rip offs", but the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) has said price gouging suggestions are incorrect. The group briefly threatened to withdraw from a meeting between the industry and Downing Street over the comments, but did eventually attend. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said in a press conference ahead of the meeting the government wanted to "ensure consumers are treated fairly this crisis", noting that the competition watchdog had raised concerns about the market in December. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said on social media ahead of the meeting : "If fuel companies try to rip off customers, my government will step in." Miliband told the BBC: "We will not tolerate unfair practices, price gouging." "It'd be completely unacceptable for anyone to use this crisis, to rip people off," he added. "And we will fight people's corner to stop that happening." Gordon Balmer, executive director of the PRA, said: "Recently I have heard of incidents from some of our members of retail staff being abused by members of the public, who may have been provoked by the incorrect and inflammatory language emanating from some commentators, for example, use of the terms 'rip offs' and 'profiteering'." At around lunchtime, the PRA had pulled out of Friday's meeting over concerns about media presence. It agreed shortly afterwards to take part when the government confirmed journalists would only be there for the start of the meeting. Following the meeting, the PRA said talks were "constructive". The CMA said in December that competition remained "weak" between petrol stations, and profit margins for retailers were "persistently high". It has also previously found evidence of "rocket and feather" pricing following Russia's invasion of Ukraine , with prices going up quickly when wholesale prices increase, but falling more slowly when wholesale prices dropped. However, it has not yet ruled on whether or not there has been profiteering in response to the current wholesale price surge, though it is looking into this. According to the latest data from the RAC, petrol prices have risen to 140.60p per litre on average across the UK from 132.83p before the war began. Diesel has climbed to 159.18p from 142.38p over the same period. "Drivers deserve - and should expect - to be treated fairly when it comes to filling
Originally reported by BBC Business. Published on ABN12.