Stores under fire over petrol price offers

More supermarkets have launched fuel price coupon schemes – despite claims they discriminate against poorer motorists.

Sainsbury's is joining Morrisons in offering 10p off a litre of petrol or diesel, but only for those drivers who hit a minimum in-store spending threshold of £60.

Tesco ran a similar offer in October.

The AA claims these promotions "discriminate" against poorer motorists by restricting their access to savings which result from lower wholesale costs for retailers.

A survey of nearly 18,000 drivers suggests only 27% of those in the lowest socioeconomic group "regularly" spend £60 in a single shopping trip.

AA fuel price spokesman Luke Bosdet said: "Once again, we see wholesale petrol costs falling, down more than a penny a litre since late November, and the only consumers to enjoy savings at the pump are those who can spend £60 in-store first.

"I won't deny that the vouchers are a good deal for families, but they leave the lower-income customers out in the cold.”

He added: "When fuel vouchers were first introduced, those lower-spending customers were offered vouchers giving 2p off a litre from a £20 spend or 3p from a £30 spend."

Almost three in four (73%) survey respondents think the Government should set a maximum length of time for fuel retailers to cut pump prices when wholesale costs drop.

The offer being run by Morrison's ends on Sunday, while Sainsbury's will operate its promotion until December 20.