• New prices will come into effect tomorrow
  • Move comes after a warning from Government that it was looking at ways to ensure petrol retailers do not delay price cuts when wholesale costs fall
  • Lowest price in over a year as prices have fallen 11p since their peak in April
  • But cost of petrol will start to rise again in the summer because of Government plans for fuel duty increase in August

By Jill Reilly

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A fresh supermarket price war on the forecourts is underway with giants Asda and Sainsbury's cutting up to 3p a litre from the price of fuel.

The retailers said the new charges would come into effect tomorrow.

The slash follows April’s record high petrol prices, which pushed the price of filling a family car to 100.

Slashed: Supermarket giants Asda and Sainsbury's are cutting up to 3p a litre from the price of fuel. The retailers said the new prices would come into effect tomorrow

The cuts mean that filling a typical car will be the cheapest since February 2011, according to  experts. 

Asda said an ease in global oil prices has enabled it to pass those savings on to motorists.

Transport Secretary Justine Greening said the Government would be prepared to introduce new laws to control prices

Transport Secretary Justine Greening said the Government would be prepared to introduce new laws to control prices

Drivers filling up at any of Asda's 195 forecourts nationwide will now pay no more than 129.7p per litre for unleaded and 134.7p per litre for diesel.

Andy Peake, Asda's director of petrol trading, said: 'Motorists will be pleased to know fuel is now at the lowest price in over a year as prices have fallen 11p since their peak in April.

'Unlike other retailers, our price cuts benefit everyone across the country, meaning that no-one filling up at Asda will be forced to pay a premium for their fuel.'

A Sainsbury's spokesman said: 'From tomorrow we will be cutting petrol and diesel prices in our petrol stations by up to 3p per litre. Sainsbury's is committed to delivering great value and helping customers cut down on cost wherever possible.'

A spokesman for the AA welcomed the cuts, saying that motorists would be getting a 'good price' for fuel.

But the cost of petrol looks set to rise again in the summer - in August the Government has planned 3.02 pence per litre rise in fuel duty.



The move to pass on lower prices to drivers comes after a warning from Government that it was looking at ways to ensure petrol retailers do not delay price cuts when wholesale costs fall.

Two weeks ago, Transport Secretary Justine Greening said companies should develop a code of practice to stop the 'indefensible' practice of petrol companies raising prices at the pump as soon as wholesale petrol and oil prices rise, only to delay lowering them again when costs fall.

She said the Government would be prepared to introduce new laws to bring about the change if companies failed to come up with a code of their own.

Here's what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have not been moderated.

3p is 3p, let's enjoy it while it lasts. But ask yourself this !, which product in Sainsburys Store has just had an increase of 3p !!!. There are more shoppers than there are Drivers. Think about it !.

Oh, do stop whinging!...If you don't like paying the current fuel prices, then walk! ...You lot moan about affording fuel for your vehicles, but you always find money for your pasties and pizza's!

Tom , Sittingbourne Kent, 12/6/2012 15:16 "Mr I Never increased taxes Gordon Brown" worked out that he was out of pocket because so many people were switching over to diesel to try and cut costs so he increased the duty on diesel to make them pay for what he was losing same as he cut the prise money on premium bonds because he was having to pay out " too much money ". People have short memories.

It would please me if it came back down to 1.00 a litre....... but thats just a dream.

Road Fuel prices lowering. ------------- Quick, bring in the Road Fuel Price Stabiliser. ---------- Only Number 11 will be happy.

3p on fuel in August from this government will mean my 'x' for UKIP at the next general election. The maths are simple.

I thought the price of Oil had fallen by 25 percent?

Do Not cheer at this drop just yet, as that idiot Osborne is just waiting for 1st August so that he can stick another 3p on a litre. Does he not realise that everytime he increases the tax on fuel then everything else goes up, and everybody will duly suffer even more.

As a Green Party supporter and a chap that cares about the environment, I heartily welcome increases in fuel prices. If less people drive vehicles, the nicer life will be. I look forward to 2 per litre, which shouldn't be too far away now.

Fuel is far too cheap. That is why the roads are congested, and also why we have an obesity epidemic in the UK. Hopefully, fuel prices will continue to rise, and stop so many ne'er-do-wells clogging up the highways and byways.

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