Jeremy Hunt backs ‘crackdown’ on rip-off petrol prices by greedy supermarkets in victory for The Sun

JEREMY Hunt today advocated a “crackdown” on petrol prices by greedy supermarkets.

The Prime Minister has spoken out ahead of a report tomorrow, which is set to criticize retailers for making unfair profits from fuel.

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The report, by watchdog the Competition and Markets Authority, is expected to suggest setting up a PumpWatch comparison website, which is a huge win for The Sun’s Keep It Down campaign.

The CMA believes the site will allow drivers to determine different rates at stations in their area — with that transparency potentially driving down prices.

Speaking to The Sun on Sunday, Mr Hunt said: “No one lobbies harder than The Sun to ensure that drivers don’t overpay the difference at the pump.

“I am committed to getting a fair deal for drivers. I met with watchdogs this week to figure out how to reduce day-to-day expenses.

“They have my 100% support to crack down on any unfair treatment.”

The CMA launched a fuel price investigation last December, amid alarms that falling oil prices were not being passed on to punters.

In a withering interim report earlier this year, the watchdog found profiteering supermarkets were pocketing an extra 5p per liter of profit, compared with if they had maintained 2019 levels.

And the regulator found: “While supermarkets still tend to be the cheapest suppliers of retail fuel, evidence suggests that at least one supermarket has significantly increased internal margins. Future.”

Last week, MPs criticized supermarket owners for profiting off petrol.

And Morrisons CEO David Potts admits Parliament supermarkets have increased profits at petrol pumps.

Bosses “could do more” to reduce costs, he said.