UPDATE: The meeting is now back on. Shambles…
The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) has pulled out of a scheduled meeting with Rachel Reeves in Number 11 today over “inflammatory language by Government Ministers“, which it claims has led members of the public to verbally ‘abuse’ its staff. That helpful language being “price gouging” and “profiteering”…
Gordon Balmer, executive director of the PRA, said he wrote to Reeves this morning asking for the meeting to be being closed doors without the media glare “to allow a conversation to explain how the fuel market works”. Ouch…
“Recently I have heard of incidents from some of our members of retail staff being abused by members of the public, who may have been provoked by the incorrect and inflammatory language emanating from some commentators for example use of the terms ‘rip offs’ and ‘profiteering’.
“Our members are working hard in difficult circumstances making sure that motorists and businesses are getting the fuel they need, at prices that are very competitive, on razor thin or in some cases negative margins which means they are losing money. Our job is to serve the public keeping motorists and businesses on the road”.
“Petrol retailers have been working closely and productively with the CMA and DESNZ to put in place the “Fuel Finder scheme” which will help motorists find the best value petrol and diesel. There is clearly still a lot of work to do to help politicians and commentators to understand how the fuel market works and our door is always open for constructive dialogue.”
Pumping the brakes…
In Henry Mance’s piece today for the FT, lunching with Nigel Farage:
“Splendido!” Farage says, when the drinks arrive; I suppose it’s a step to European reconciliation. We clink glasses, and he lights the first of two back-to-back Benson & Hedges. A few minutes later, we’re back downstairs. “Are you drinking? Good.” He orders a glass of Sauvignon blanc for each of us — not a bottle, “because it’s Lent” — followed by a bottle of claret, to have with our meal. They say Farage drinks less than he used to. They say a lot of things.”