Press Releases

PRA 17/06/2025

Responding to the new Accreditation Standard for fuel retails and cost recovery agents, Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association, said:  “We are very pleased that this policy is now being implemented. Fuel theft remains a significant challenge for our members and this standard represents a vital step forward in enabling retailers to recover costs effectively and lawfully, while maintaining data security and public trust."

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PRA 12/06/2025

Commenting on Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP’s delivery of the Government’s Spending Review, Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), said: “The PRA acknowledges the Government’s multi-year Spending Review and welcomes investment in key areas. However, we remain concerned with the lack of clarity on how the Government’s announcements regarding the transition to electric vehicles will challenge fuel retailers facing rising costs."

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PRA 31/03/2025

Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the PRA, responded to the March 2025 "Road Fuel quarterly update report".

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PRA 28/11/2024

“Petrol retailers continue to price fuel as low as possible in a highly competitive market while grappling with rising costs in the form of business rates, National Insurance, National Minimum Wage and electricity. While I am pleased that the CMA has acknowledged these increased costs as a factor, they have still not incorporated them into their analysis, leaving it incomplete. 

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PRA 21/11/2024

The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) has written to Chancellor Rachel Reeves MP to express concerns over the potential impact of the Autumn Budget measures on the fuel retail sector.

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PRA 05/11/2024

“The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement has maintained the freeze on fuel duty and continued the 5ppl cut, an outcome the PRA has long advocated for and a significant win for motorists and businesses amid challenging economic times. However, the statement has also introduced a series of tax increases that will deeply impact both motorists and businesses across the UK.  

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PRA 29/08/2024

Responding to the RAC's comments regarding a potential fuel duty rise in the October budget, Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), said:  "For background, the PRA has been transparent with the Government on this issue and has offered   to meet with the RAC, but this offer has not yet been accepted. 

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PRA 22/07/2024

“In a modern society, there is no place for modern slavery. We welcome the Government's initiative to target businesses employing illegal workers in car washes. However, it is disappointing that it has taken so long to address this well-documented issue.” said Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Car Wash Association (CWA).

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PRA 17/06/2024

“Current analyses that compare today’s fuel margins to historical figures overlook several critical factors. We must consider the significant increases in operating costs, reduced fuel volumes post-pandemic, and the substantial investments required to transition to a low-carbon transportation system. 

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PRA 16/04/2024

“While the situation in the Middle East could raise pump prices, petrol retailers are doing all they can to keep prices as low as possible for their customers.

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PRA 26/02/2024

Data from the Illegal Immigration Unit at the Home Office showed that 78 hand car washes across the UK had been fined a total of nearly £1.5 million for ‘right to work’ offences in the first nine months of 2023.  

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PRA 16/01/2024

“The PRA has been actively engaged in collaborative efforts with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to enhance fuel price transparency.” said Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association.   

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PRA 04/12/2023

We have been working closely with both the Competition and Markets Authority and the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero as they develop their fuel price transparency scheme. Amidst a cost-of-living crisis, the PRA is doing all it can to ensure that motorists have access to the best information possible.

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PRA 16/10/2023

“We are proud to announce our active participation in the upcoming Safer Business Action Week, scheduled for 16 – 22 October. This initiative, organised in collaboration with the Association of Convenience Stores, aims to raise awareness and address critical issues surrounding business crime.” said Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the PRA. 

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PRA 20/09/2023

In response to the recent surge in oil prices, Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), denied forecourts are exploiting consumers with unfair profit margins.  

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PRA 02/08/2023

Commenting on the newly released data from The Clewer Initiative's Safe Car Wash App, Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Car Wash Association (CWA) said: “I am deeply concerned to see the report highlighting the widespread exploitation taking place in hand car wash businesses, especially as a third of all reports submitted through the app raised significant concerns regarding modern slavery and exploitation. The shocking 127% increase in the number of high-scoring reports referred to the Modern Slavery Helpline (MSH) compared to the previous 6 months is alarming.

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PRA 14/06/2023

The Petrol Retailers Association wrote to the Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity Lorna Slater on Tuesday 13 June, expressing its concerns over Scotland's Bottle Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). 

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PRA 19/05/2023

Commenting on the Competition and Market Authority’s update, Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association said: “The CMA have made supermarkets the focus of their update, noting only that non-supermarket retailers are traditionally price followers in the market. 

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PRA 04/05/2023

Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Car Wash Association, said: “Modern slavery is often practised in broad daylight, with non-compliant hand car wash operators openly flouting employment and environmental regulations with total impunity. 

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PRA 02/02/2023

Responding to the Government’s decision to introduce an abbreviated Energy Bill Discount Scheme, Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association, said: “Our members have worked hard to keep their communities fuelled and fed during unprecedented times. The Government’s failure to provide targeted help to sectors most in need will threaten fuel resilience in the UK.

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PRA 12/01/2023

Responding to the Public Accounts Committee’s 2020-2021 HMRC performance report, Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Car Wash Association, said: “It is unacceptable that the Government is asking people to make responsible financial decisions when the Treasury itself is owed an astonishing £42bn in unpaid taxes. 

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PRA 11/01/2023

Responding to the Government’s decision to introduce an abbreviated Energy Bill Discount Scheme, Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association, said: “Our members have worked hard to keep their communities fuelled and fed during unprecedented times. The Government’s failure to provide targeted help to sectors most in need will threaten fuel resilience in the UK.

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PRA 08/12/2022

2022 has seen volatile energy prices as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Amid high fuel prices at forecourts, the CMA launched an investigation that culminated in the exoneration of petrol retailers from Government accusations of price gouging.

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PRA 05/12/2022

The PRA has written to the new Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire, Chris Philp, concerning the alarming increase in forecourt drive-offs in which motorists fill up their cars without paying.

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PRA 21/11/2022

Commenting on the measures announced in today’s Autumn Statement Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) said: “We welcome the decision taken today by the Chancellor not to reverse the cut to fuel duty. The 5ppl cut previously introduced in March has been essential for families who have no choice but to use their cars. 

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PRA 08/11/2022

Today, the Petrol Retailers Association wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, regarding the 5ppl fuel duty cut introduced in March.

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PRA 18/10/2022

Sixteen anti-slavery organisations have joined forces to mark Anti-Slavery Day 2022, on Tuesday October 18 with unregulated, non-compliant hand car washes highlighted as a key area of concern. 

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PRA 05/10/2022

Commenting on the latest RAC press release concerning pump prices, Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association, said:  “This year we have seen intense price volatility for petrol and diesel and prices are now back on an upward curve ahead of the OPEC+ meeting.”

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PRA 23/09/2022

Commenting on the Chancellor’s budget, Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association said: “Our members are extremely worried about soaring energy costs. While we are encouraged by the Government’s recognition of this issue through the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, we are concerned that it will not be enough to mitigate the long-term effects of price increases.”

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PRA 21/09/2022

Today the Petrol Retailers Association wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer urging government’s recognition of the need to support forecourts businesses facing soaring energy costs this winter.

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PRA 12/09/2022

Following Prime Minister Truss’s plans to help businesses with energy costs for the next six months, Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association

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PRA 05/09/2022

Fuel retail margins need to rise, suggests the Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association today if independent petrol stations are to remain viable businesses throughout this winter.

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PRA 25/08/2022

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PRA 29/07/2022

Tomorrow, Saturday 30 July, is the United Nations World Day Against Trafficking In Persons which aims to combat modern day slavery through awareness campaigns. 

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PRA 08/07/2022

The Petrol Retailers Association is reassured by the findings of the CMA’s Road Fuel Review, which has reiterated that there is no evidence that retailers have profited from failing to pass on the fuel duty cut.

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PRA 18/05/2022

Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association said: “We have responded to the Secretary of State’s letter concerning fuel pricing. In it, we have reiterated our point that we agree on the need for the Fuel Duty cut to be passed on, and that our members have done so. 

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PRA 17/05/2022

“The oil industry’s move to voluntarily embargo Russian diesel ahead of a full phasing out by the end of 2022 is the right decision. However, this in tandem with a pending European Union ban on Russian exports is expected to further tighten global supplies and consumers will start to notice higher pump prices,”  

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PRA 13/04/2022

Responding to claims that have been made that petrol suppliers are “fleecing” motorists and should have cut fuel prices by 20 ppl Gordon Balmer Executive Director of the PRA said, 

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PRA 29/03/2022

The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) has written to Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps regarding his recent comments concerning fuel pricing. In the letter, the PRA explained that the average dealer forecourt would be unable to pass on the fuel duty cut to consumers immediately, as they first have to deplete their existing stock which was purchased before the cut took effect on 6pm on 23 March.

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PRA 23/03/2022

Today, the Chancellor announced a 5p fuel duty cut during the Spring Statement. While this is a step in the right direction, a 5p reduction is not comprehensive enough to reduce the burden on motorists. Other European countries have gone further: for example, Ireland has cut duty by 17p, leaving our members in Northern Ireland at a competitive disadvantage as they are unable to compete with prices across the border.

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PRA 22/03/2022

The PRA is calling for a fuel duty cut in tomorrow’s Spring Statement, but is urging the Chancellor and motorists to be realistic in their expectations of when the cut will feed through to the pumps.

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PRA 17/03/2022

Global energy prices are still volatile due to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, unduly impacting consumers at the same time as cost-of-living increases. The PRA is calling on the Chancellor to follow the example of other European countries and cut fuel duty to shield consumers from international events.

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PRA 15/03/2022

 Ahead of the Budget the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer urging the Government to cut fuel duty to reduce the burden of soaring energy costs and fuel prices on consumers

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PRA 02/03/2022

“Over the last 24 hours the price of oil has increased due to concerns over the events in the Ukraine.  We expect the rise in global prices to continue and be reflected in UK pump prices, as is the case all over the world.  

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PRA 15/02/2022

“As it has been widely publicised, the tensions between Russia and Ukraine have pushed the price of oil to a seven-year high. As the situation unfolds over the coming days, the price of oil will be subject to further volatility. Other key factors to consider include continued tightness in the oil market and the Dollar-Sterling exchange rate.

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PRA 10/02/2022

The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) has welcomed the Low Carbon Strategy Call for Ideas recently launched by the Department for Transport (DfT).  

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PRA 19/01/2022

“While there is a need to reduce tailpipe emissions, especially in cities, local mayors should be mindful that any extra charges will significantly impact low income households who are already struggling with high energy costs”, said Gordon Balmer Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), commenting on a new net-zero by 2030 report commissioned by the Mayor of London and released today.

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PRA 06/01/2022

“December’s pump price data is less reliable because it is taken from fuel card transactions, and there have been far fewer of these transactions because of the reduction in business activity between Christmas and New Year. With pump prices falling towards the end of the month, car drivers travelling over the holiday period are likely to have benefited more than these figures suggest.

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PRA 27/10/2021

The Petrol Retailers’ Association welcomes the Chancellors confirmation in today’s budget that fuel duty will continue to be frozen for a further 12 months. This will be the 12th year in a row that this tax has been unchanged.

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PRA 22/10/2021

The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) has written to the Chancellor stating that it would be economically imprudent for the Government to consider raising fuel duty from the present 57.95ppl in the upcoming Autumn Budget.

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PRA 20/10/2021

Brian Madderson, Chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association, warned today that the record pump prices of 142ppl for petrol and 148ppl for diesel set in April 2012 are almost certain to be eclipsed before the end of October. Experian Catalist UK averages for 19 October were 141.35ppl and 144.84ppl respectively.

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PRA 07/10/2021

“Today’s PRA survey shows 12 per cent of filling stations in London and the South East are still dry, while 17 per cent have just one grade of fuel.  71 per cent of filling stations in this region have both grades, compared to 90 per cent outside London and the South East.

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PRA 02/10/2021

Brian Madderson, Chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) has alerted Government and the media to the swift rise in the wholesale price of both petrol and diesel over the last week.

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PRA 17/09/2021

The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) would like to announce that following 12 years of service, Brian Madderson is retiring from his position as Chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) and Car Wash Association (CWA) on 31 December 2021.

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PRA 08/09/2021

Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) comments on the Prime Ministers decision to raise National Insurance contributions.

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PRA 17/08/2021

Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA), commented, “As part of our long-standing support for the sensible decarbonisation of transport, the PRA welcomes the UK Government’s Hydrogen Strategy.

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PRA 28/07/2021

The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) sign up to Daily Mail campaign to end self-isolation for healthy, double-vaccinated workers.

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PRA 22/07/2021

The government announcement to exclude essential workers from self-isolation requirements if they have been double vaccinated should be extended to forecourt workers, says the PRA.

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PRA 15/07/2021

Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) comments on the Government’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan.

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PRA 14/07/2021

Following the Government’s decision to ban new diesel or petrol heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) sold after 2040 as part of a plan to decarbonise the transport sector, the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) has described the announcement as “optimistic but completely unrealistic”.

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PRA 08/07/2021

“Following news that the Government has launched a consultation on the frequency of Business Rates Revaluations, the PRA is concerned that the move will be detrimental to members on the assessment of their businesses valuation and make for a more bureaucratic appeals process. This could then make it more difficult  for members to appeal their business rates,” said Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA).

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PRA 07/07/2021

The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) has welcomed the publication of The Downstream Oil Resilience Bill, which was introduced last month by Energy Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan.

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PRA 16/06/2021

The Car Wash Association (CWA), who have lobbied extensively on the matter, are delighted that the Government is sticking to its manifesto pledge by committing to create a Single Enforcement Body that is responsible for ensuring employment rights are being respected.

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