Motorists squeezed by swindling oil providers and a tax-happy Treasury

SIR – It was reported yesterday that the average price for a litre of petrol was £1.78, with diesel at £1.85.

However, my local garage is selling petrol at the strangely high price of £1.98 per litre and diesel at £1.95. I have not experienced the Chancellor’s 5p per litre duty cut – and don’t expect to.

All my MP would say is that he believes in free markets and competition, not state control, and that it is for customers to shop around – that’s the best way to squeeze profiteers. This completely misses the point that oil companies have failed to pass on the Chancellor’s 5p duty saving intended for the motorist. This must be regarded by the Government as a swindle, and it should respond.

Meanwhile, VAT on increasingly expensive fuel keeps pouring into the Exchequer. I know who is profiteering along with the fuel companies. Motorists are not complete fools. Charles Leith

Fordingbridge, Hampshire

SIR – Seeing the eye-watering cost of fuel, I look back with some nostalgia at a time when increases would be a penny or two added to the cost of a litre. Our village petrol station has just put up the price of its petrol by a staggering 16p a litre.

Ian Pinington

Partridge Green, West Sussex

SIR – Blower’s cartoon (June 9) showed a forecourt with diesel advertised at £1.86 a litre. Can I ask the location of this petrol station? It is nearly 20p cheaper than my closest retailer. Richard Thomas

Bwlchgwyn, Denbighshire

SIR – Sir John Armitt, the infrastructure tsar, says gas boilers should be banned to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and help Britain meet its green ambitions (report, June 8).

The problem with this glib statement is obvious: heat pumps only work effectively in well-insulated homes. You just have to look at estate agents’ websites to see the energy inefficiency of most properties, so, in effect, heat pumps will cost more in the bulk of British housing stock.

There are far easier ways to reduce costs: cut green levies from utility bills, cut VAT on fuel and cut fuel duties. Charles Penfold

Ulverston, Cumbria

SIR – You report (June 9) that the Rough gas storage facility under the North Sea is to be reopened at a cost of £2billion. Can the Government explain why it allowed Centrica to close it in the first place in 2017? Chris Lewis

Widnes, Cheshire

SIR – If this were France, drivers would take to the streets and the Government would reduce fuel tax at a stroke. How much longer before the public says enough is enough and protests? Richard Larner

Bournemouth, Dorset

SIR – Er, wake up, Boris... Peter Richards

Lytchett Matravers, Dorset