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We are being told by a number of parties that diesel prices are high because of the lack of refineing capacity.
The question is given that more diesel was being sold 12months ago and was then only approximatly 4p above petrol why, with the same ammount of refineing capacity and less being used is diesel now 14p plus greater than petrol? Is any one trying to miss inform the general public?

Hi

You report that petrol prices are too high and diesel prices follow suit. However, diesel prices are increasing relative to petrol prices. For instance, in July last year, diesel was about 14p per litre above petrol. Today, it is still about 12p per litre above petrol prices. With a 33% reduction in petrol prices, I would have expected a similar reduction in diesel price, but the differential has increased, from about 12% to about 14%. Why?

I was in France and Germany in late October - prices of diesel were lower than petrol prices. As we live in a global economy, I cannot understand this. Refining capacity in the UK is the answer given by the fuel companies - I do not believe it, as when prices increase they tell us that world prices have increased, but when prices reduce they do not reduce prices equally.

Surely they cannot have it both ways i.e world prices go up, so prices in UK increase, but when world prices decrease, UK prices do not decrease because of lack of refining capacity?

Does the increase in diesel price have anything to do with the increase in diesel car usage in the UK over the last 5 years and the corresponding reduction in petrol car usage?
Heaven forfend!

Perhaps a story to do a follow-up on?

I have been checking the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp market prices of petrol and diesel since mid-2008 and can say the following:
In mid-2008, the basic price difference was about 12-13p/litre at most - so when we were paying 15p/litre more for diesel, the retailers were making a small extra profit on the diesel.
Now, the difference in the basic price is only 1-3p/litre (sometimes the ARA market price of diesel has been LESS than the price of petrol...), yet we are typically paying 9-10p/litre more for diesel. This means that the diesel pump price is BLATANTLY too high and millions of UK motorists are being ripped off.
This is an utter scandal and I strongly request that Watchdog pursue this with the Petrol Retailers Association.
To anybody reading this, write to your MP, write to the government, don't take it lying down.