Petrol Retailers Association U-turns, Agrees To Meet Chancellor Rachel Reeves After Deleting Withdrawal Posts

The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) initially said it had withdrawn from a scheduled meeting with chancellor Rachel Reeves but then deleted its withdrawal posts on X and agreed to attend the meeting.

“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”

BBC

The PA news agency has reported that the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) will attend the meeting with chancellor Rachel Reeves today, shortly after it said it had withdrawn earlier this afternoon.

BBC

The group briefly threatened to withdraw from a meeting between the industry and Downing Street over the comments, but did eventually agree to attend.

The PRA framed its withdrawal as a response to what it called 'inflammatory language' from ministers and said that such language had led to abuse of retail staff.

The PRA has deleted a series of posts on X in which it said it had pulled out over concerns that “inflammatory language” from ministers had led to retail staff being abused by the public.

Oz Arab Media

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.

Ministers, including chancellor Rachel Reeves and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, pushed back against claims of unjustified price rises and asked the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to act.

“Petrol Retailers Association U-turn on decision to withdraw from meeting with chancellor The PA news agency has reported that the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) will attend the meeting with chancellor Rachel Reeves today, shortly after it said it had withdrawn earlier this afternoon”

The Guardian

Reeves has asked the competition watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), to 'crack down' on 'rip off' fuel prices.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said on Friday that the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) was on 'high alert' for any unjustifiable price rises.

Industry figures stressed slim margins and asked for a private forum to explain market dynamics without media presence, while the PRA briefly said it would not attend before backtracking.

Gordon Balmer, PRA executive director, requested a private meeting with the Chancellor to explain the fuel market without media presence.

The Independent

The PRA highlighted that its members are operating on 'razor thin or in some cases negative margins' while working to provide competitive fuel prices.

The dispute plays out against an oil-price shock that has pushed petrol prices to an 18-month high, prompting political sensitivity and strong rhetoric from the prime minister about stepping in if companies 'try to rip off customers'.

“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”

BBC

The jump in oil costs has caused petrol prices to jump to an 18-month high, according to motoring organisation, the RAC.

BBC

Prime minister Keir Starmer said the government “will step in” if fuel companies “try to rip off customers”.