'Brits are being FLEECED!' - UK motorists subject to some of Europe's highest prices at the petrol pump

Brits are being fleeced at the pumps with some of the highest petrol prices in Europe, according to a new study.

The RAC found that from 28 countries in Europe, British motorists paid the joint fifth highest petrol and diesel prices.

Britain had the fourth most expensive petrol, averaging 153p per litre on December 19, and the second highest for diesel, coming in at 176p per litre.

Countries like France, Italy and Spain all enjoy significantly lower prices.

Malta comes in as the cheapest, averaging 106p per litre.

Business Secretary Grant Shapps has issued a warning to retailers about the prospect of the state intervening in order to secure a better deal for motorists.

He said he will “not hesitate to act to ensure competition is healthy and consumers get a fair deal on their fuel”.

Tory MP Greg Smith says Brits are being “fleeced” at the pumps.

Wholesale fuel prices rose after the war in Ukraine, and the RAC last week said the big four supermarkets are failing to pass on falls.

In March, the Government announced a 5p a litre cut in fuel duty.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams told the Daily Star: “Drivers are being shockingly short-changed by some of the biggest retailers. The wholesale price of petrol has fallen by 23p a litre since late October yet the average pump price in the UK has only come down by 14p.

“Drivers will no doubt be utterly shocked to find out just how cheap fuel is in most of the rest of Europe. It’s plain to see that fuel in the UK shouldn’t be as expensive as it is.

“We’ve been calling on the big four supermarkets to cut prices for weeks due to falling wholesale prices. So far, they have flatly refused to do the right thing.”

The market is regulated by The Competition and Markets Authority, which is currently investigating pricing, with a report due in the spring.