Motorists will be able to live-check petrol prices by end of year in victory for The Sun’s Keep It Down campaign
MOTORISTS will be able to live-check fuel prices across the UK by the end of the year, The Sun can reveal.
Work will start today on developing a PumpWatch website in a victory for The Sun’s long-running “Keep It Down” campaign.
More than 41million drivers will get free details on where to buy the cheapest petrol and diesel.
The site will display and update pump prices every 30 minutes — increasing competition among service stations and driving down costs.
Ministers will discuss with comparison sites, the AA and RAC how best to share data across websites, apps, in-car devices and maps.
It comes after the Chancellor last week announced fuel duty will be frozen for another year, with the 5p cut extended.
Minister for Energy Affordability and Skills Amanda Solloway said: “The government is already working to bring down fuel prices and we will all see the difference of the 5p fuel duty cut extension at the pumps.
“We want fuel prices at your fingertips, refreshed within 30 minutes of changing, so everyone can save when filling up their tank – even when visiting an area they don’t know.
“The government and tech firms are working together to make sure PumpWatch is a success, so we can put hard-earned pounds back in families’ pockets.”
Steve Dukes, the boss of Confused.com, said: “Encouraging fuel retailers to share up-to-date pricing information through PumpWatch will make a huge difference to drivers. Naturally they may be tempted to go to their closest station but being able to research cheaper pumps nearby could save a considerable amount when filling up.”
Head of Roads Policy at the AA, Jack Cousens, said: “What the Government is achieving with its pump-price transparency scheme is fast on the road to what the AA has called for and envisaged for more than a decade.
“Bringing tech firms into the picture will help that process and lead to innovative use of the price data.”