THE case of unfair fuel prices for drivers in Dunfermline has been raised in the UK Parliament.
The issue was highlighted by the Press earlier this month after West Fife rugby referee Bryan Johnstone raised concerns that city motorists were having to fork out 7p per litre more for unleaded fuel than if they were filling up in Glenrothes or Kirkcaldy.
After being contacted by constituents about the disparity, Dunfermline and Dollar MP Graeme Downie raised the issue at Business Questions in the House of Commons this morning (Thursday).
He said: "Despite a healthy number of large supermarkets and other suppliers in the city of Dunfermline, research by a group of my constituents have found that petrol prices are consistently up to 5p per litre higher than the same suppliers less than 10 miles away harming small businesses and individuals alike."
The West Fife politician asked for any suggestions of examining this clustering of prices to "ensure businesses and individuals are being treated fairly."
READ MORE: Dunfermline driver calls out unfair fuel prices in city
Responding, Leader of the House, Lucy Powell MP said the Dunfermline and Dollar MP was "absolutely right."
She added: "The competitions and markets authority has found that competition between fuel retailers has weakened and that has had a detrimental effect on constituents like his as he (Mr Downie) has outlined.
"I would suggest he would get strong backing for it for either a back bench or Westminster hall debate on this important matter."
Following the parliamentary session, Mr Downie confirmed to the Press he will now be putting in for an Adjournment Debate or Westminster Hall debate to further highlight the issue.
Earlier this week, Dunfermline MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville also expressed "serious concerns" about motorists being overcharged for petrol.
The MSP described the situation as "unacceptable" and is now pledging to raise the issue with the UK Government.
"This is not just a small difference – 6p more per litre can be a considerable burden for local drivers, particularly when budgets are already stretched," she said.
"This puts additional financial pressure on families, small businesses, and individuals who rely on their vehicles for work and essential journeys.
"Of course, fuel pricing remains a reserved issue, and as such, it falls under the responsibility of the Labour government.
"They must take action to stop these unfair practices and ensure that petrol prices are not being artificially inflated in certain areas, with consumers protected from these unjust differences.
"We also need transparency in fuel pricing, so that the public can better understand how prices are determined in the first place."
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