Store wars move to the pumps as prices cut

Leeds-based Asda is shaving 2p a litre off the price of both diesel and unleaded petrol sold at all of its 205 forecourts from today.

Bradford-based Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco followed suit, announcing similar reductions yesterday.

The cut is the second in a fortnight by Asda in reaction to falling wholesale costs, bringing further cuts to fuel prices which reached record highs in April.

Asda said its national cap meant motorists will pay no more than 131.7 pence per litre for unleaded fuel, and 137.7 pence for diesel.

Andy Peake, its director of petrol trading, said: “Today’s move shows that Asda is once again leading the way in reducing the price at the pump.

“Unlike other retailers, our price cuts benefit everyone across the country, meaning that no one filling up at Asda will be forced to play a postcode lottery.”

Bosses at Morrisons, Sainsbury and Tesco have said they will lower the cost of petrol and diesel “by up to” 2p a litre.

The actual cost paid by motorists at the pumps fluctuate regionally.

Morrisons’ reduction is in addition to its Fuel Britannia offer, which until Sunday gives customers who spend £60 in store the chance to cut their fuel bill by 15p per litre. A supermarket spokesman said the combined 17p per litre reduction would equate to more than a £10 saving for motorists filling up with 60 litres.

A Tesco spokeswoman claimed the largest overall savings would be made with them as it operates 490 forecourts – more than any other supermarket in the UK.

The UK was recorded as having the eighth highest petrol price in Europe and the second highest diesel price last month, according to an AA report.

It found diesel in Yorkshire was the cheapest in the UK at 143.2 pence per litre. Unleaded was 138.7 pence in the region – slightly dearer than in London.