Extract from First Minister's questions (Scotland)

During questions to the First Minister yesterday:

Fuel Prices

Stuart McMillan (Greenock and Inverclyde) (SNP)

The First Minister will be aware of the latest update from the Competition and Markets Authority indicating that global factors are not solely to blame for high fuel prices, with the evidence indicating that fuel margins have increased across the retail market over the past four years, particularly for supermarkets. The First Minister will also be aware that I have previously raised in the chamber my concern that Morrisons, Tesco and BP have been ripping off my Greenock and Inverclyde constituents. Will the First Minister commit the Scottish Government to making representations to the United Kingdom Government and to the CMA when its full report is published in July to ensure that reforms are forthcoming in order to prevent fuel retailers from robbing my constituents?

The First Minister (Humza Yousaf)

I will make representations, as Stuart McMillan has asked me to do. I commend him for raising the issue consistently in the chamber on behalf of his constituents. There is no doubt that high fuel prices have contributed to the cost of living crisis for people and businesses across Scotland. The Scottish Government has raised the issue of inconsistent pricing between urban and rural areas, and in areas such as Inverclyde in particular, with the Competition and Markets Authority as a key issue for investigation. I am happy to re-emphasise those points to the CMA. I welcome its latest update and note that it is seeking more information from supermarkets on their role in the fuel market, and that it has indicated that its final report will cover the important issue of geographical variations in pricing. If there are any further representations that we can make on the issue, I will make sure that we make them.