VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Fuels: Prices

Asked by James McMurdockIndependentTreasuryTabled Answered 12 January 2026UIN 102685

The question

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment she has made of the potential impact of fuel margins on household finances and poverty levels.

Answered by James Murray

The Government recognises that households are still struggling with the impact of the cost of living on their finances. The Government notes the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) annual road fuel monitoring report found that fuel margins remain persistently high and are not explained by operating costs. This indicates that competition in the road fuel retail market remains weak.

To address this, the Government is implementing Fuel Finder and extending the 5p fuel duty cut until the end of August 2026, with rates then gradually returning to March 2022 levels by March 2027.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim