West Dorset MP Chris Loder has welcomed the intervention of a government secretary in his campaign for fair fuel prices, after residents in towns including Bridport were left having to pay hefty premiums on petrol.

Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary Grant Shapps has written to fuel retailers, urging them to divulge details of their pricing policies to the Competitions and Market Authority (CMA), which was prompted to investigate after West Dorset customers were left feeling the pinch.

Mr Shapps' letter read: "Although I am encouraged to note that this government's cut in fuel duty announced in March 2022 has been passed on to consumers, it is concerning to see that the CMA's emerging findings point to retail fuel margins rising year on year over the past five years ahead of general inflation. 

"In addition, their analysis has found evidence that, on occasion, the price of fuel at the pump has fallen more slowly than it rises following changes in the price of crude oil. 

"As a result, the CMA will continue to investigate the retail sector further, with a focus on the relationship between wholesale and retail fuel prices, factors driving local and regional variations in prices, and the role played by major supermarkets in the road fuel retail sector. 

"The pressure on consumers… is greater than it has been for a very long time. You will have seen recent reports in the media suggesting retailers, particularly supermarkets, are not passing on wholesale savings to motorists swiftly enough. 

"This government is committed to ensuring retailers are offering a fair deal at their forecourts. I therefore welcome the focus the CMA will be placing on the role of retailers and urge you all to engage fully, openly and transparently with the CMA to explain changes in pricing behaviour." 

His letter came after Mr Loder raised the issue during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, saying supermarkets such as Morrisons were "abusing their dominant market position on fuel" by charing 20p more in Bridport than other towns in the region.

"Will the Prime Minster agree to meet with me to discuss what action can be taken against these commercial predators who harm our local residents in this way?" he asked.

Offering an update on the situation, Mr Loder said: "Since my intervention at Prime Minister's Questions on November 9, we have seen progress with the CMA's investigation which, still ongoing, is highlighting many of the unfair pricing practices we all feared were happening. 

"I am very pleased that, after shining a spotlight on this issue, the government is acting swiftly in the interests of fairness for the consumer."

Mr Loder met with Dan Turnbull, director of the CMA on December 16, urging them to take Bridport's fuel price situation as a case study for their investigation.

Mr Loder continued: "I was very pleased to see the fuel prices at Morrisons Bridport falling to around 148.9 pence per litre in December. While this still remains higher than nearby towns, I will continue working towards fairness for West Dorset."