Still paying through the nozzle

With the summer break just around the corner there’s the prospect of long treks across the country to holiday destinations.

A car loaded to the gills with children and luggage is not only short on space but heavy on fuel - the worst possible situation when petrol prices remain high.

But while the Government remains quiet on the subject, the swell of disquiet is finally leading several key organisations to take action.

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Motoring groups have demanded the European Union launch an investigation into soaring petrol prices.

The Federation Nationale de l’Automobile (FIA), which represents 35 million drivers and counts both the AA and RAC as members, has written to the EU claiming the way prices are determined is “far from transparent”.

It calls for an inquiry into how benchmark prices are set on the Rotterdam spot market, where cargoes of petrol and diesel for the whole European market are bought and sold.

Luke Bosdet, of the AA, said: “No one is giving us any answers as to why petrol prices are so high.

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“We need greater transparency so that everyone can see we are paying a fair price for fuel.”

The AA wants to see an independent regulator to balance the interests of the supplier, retailer and customer.