Fuel price relief 'is not enough'

BUSINESSES say £1 a litre petrol has given them respite from economic gloom – but believe the price at the pump is still too high.

Unleaded petrol at stations in North Staffordshire dipped below the £1 mark yesterday for the first time this year after months of motoring misery.

But drivers and fuel-reliant businesses say they are still paying too much for fuel because the cost of crude oil has almost halved from a high of $147 (£84) a barrel to a 14-month low around $75 (£43).

Paul Biggs, Staffordshire co-ordinator for the Association of British Drivers, agreed more financial pressure needed to be taken off motorists.

He said: "It is great news to finally see the prices come down again.

"The cost of oil has almost halved, so you would expect to see that at the pumps.

"It seems like the prices went up very quickly as the price of oil rose, but they are not so fast to put the prices down.

"I still think we are paying far too much for fuel. Sixty per cent goes to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and that is too much."

17/10/08

The Sentinel: Fuel price relief 'is not enough'