Islanders encouraged to ‘vote with their feet’ as fuel prices increase

Picture: JON GUEGAN.

FUEL prices have risen across the Island for the first time since the summer, with diesel now costing at least 179 pence per litre.

Jersey Consumer Council chairman Carl Walker said the increase meant there was ‘no sheltering place’ for customers suffering from the cost-of-living crisis.

He encouraged consumers to ‘vote with their feet’ by shopping around to save money and encouraging competition between fuel providers.

According to the JCC, fuel prices last rose on 13 July.

Mr Walker said: ‘We have seen a rise due to the demand of oil globally, especially in Europe, as winter begins to bite. However, we are seeing everything rise. There is no sheltering place as the cost of everything is going through the roof.

‘Even so, there is more than 30 pence per litre difference between the cheapest and most expensive petrol available in Jersey this week, which means the consumer must keep shopping around to save money.

‘More importantly, consumers can also, by shopping around and voting with their feet, begin to drive competition and, with it, see prices begin to creep down slightly.’

Figures on the JCC website show that the lowest pump price for diesel, including GST, is 179 pence per litre, up from 169.9 pence per litre on 5 October.

Meanwhile, the lowest price for unleaded petrol, including GST, was 164.9 pence per litre, five pence per litre more than it was last month.

The JCC chart shows that the cheapest unleaded petrol is available from ATF Maufant and ATF Augrés, while the lowest-price diesel is at Three Oaks Garage.

Mr Walker said: ‘We are all creatures of habit, but just because we have always gone to the same supermarket or same petrol station because we have a loyalty card doesn’t mean we’re getting the best prices. The more we shop around, the more competitive our retailers will have to become.

‘There is a misconception that the price of fuel only impacts those who own cars. That’s wrong. Everything that has been delivered has come into contact with a vehicle, and the end cost gets passed onto the consumer.

That’s almost everything we buy, from food and drink to white goods and building supplies. They have all had to be delivered and the more the price of fuel rises, the more the consumer will ultimately be charged at the till.’

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