Petrol in Dumfries is the most expensive in the UK, according to a new survey by a High Street bank.
But according to local MP David Mundell the results of the survey show how important last week’s Budget was for the region.
Motorists in the county town will have to pay more than £102 to fill up a typical family car, according to a survey by Santander.
Dumfries beat Durham, Hereford, Crewe and Oxford to the take the title after research by the bank found its forecourts were charging motorist an average of 145.9p per litre for unleaded petrol.
“These findings confirm how important the Government’s decision was to help local people and businesses by cancelling the planned fuel duty increase for 1 September 2013. Petrol is now 13 pence per litre cheaper than it was under Labour’s plans, and whilst the local prices are unacceptable this announcement will put money back in people’s pockets in these difficult times. I am pleased the Chancellor listened to the calls from myself and other MPs because in this part of the world a car is not a luxury but a necessity for many people.” said Mr Mundell.
“The Government has done its bit to cap prices but it seems ludicrous that petrol is so much more expensive in Dumfries than Carlisle. Following the conformation that petrol here is more expensive than elsewhere I am calling on the major supermarkets to review their local pricing, following an OFT report which showed they effectively set the local price. In the meantime I will continue to lobby the Ministers to see what else can be done to reduce the cost of fuel in this region.”