A Dorset MP has urged the prime minister to stop Morrisons “abusing their position” by charging more for petrol in Bridport than in other towns.

Chris Loder raised the issue with Rishi Sunak in Parliament, accusing the supermarket of “harming” residents.

Mr Loder, Conservative MP for West Dorset, said during prime minister’s questions in the House of Commons: “Supermarkets such as Morrisons are abusing their dominant market position on fuel, charging up to 20p per litre more in Bridport than other towns in the region, thus preventing West Dorset residents from benefitting from the very unusual reduction in market price these days.

“Will the prime minster agree to meet with me to discuss what action can be taken against these commercial predators who harm our local residents in this way?”

Bridport and Lyme Regis News:

  • Chris Loder at PMQs

Mr Sunak replied: “As chancellor I was pleased to cut duty by 5p a litre, the biggest-ever cut in fuel duty to help motorists in our country, but I recognise the concerns the honourable gentleman raised. That’s why we asked the Competition and Markets Authority to conduct an urgent review of the market.

Bridport and Lyme Regis News: In late December, Rishi Sunak announced a £1 billion support package for businesses hit by the Omicron variant of Covid-19.

“There are some actions to be considered coming out of that review and I look forward to meeting with him and working with the CMA to explore its recommendations in more detail.”

Morrisons responded by referring to a statement from the British Retail Consortium, which said: "Retailers understand the cost pressures facing motorists and will do everything they can to offer the best value-for-money across petrol and diesel forecourts, passing on cost reductions as they feed through the supply chain.”