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Brown warning over petrol prices Brown warning over petrol prices
(about 1 hour later)
Gordon Brown has warned petrol retailers to cut prices below £1 a litre, warning there is still "too much variation in price across the country". Gordon Brown has urged petrol retailers to cut prices below £1 a litre, warning there is still "too much variation in price across the country".
Speaking in Brussels the prime minister said in some areas prices were still £1.20 a litre and "that must change".Speaking in Brussels the prime minister said in some areas prices were still £1.20 a litre and "that must change".
"Some oil companies are not passing on reductions in oil prices," he said."Some oil companies are not passing on reductions in oil prices," he said.
He also said it was his job to "calm things down" and he believed measures the EU was working on would help with fuel costs and mortgage rates.He also said it was his job to "calm things down" and he believed measures the EU was working on would help with fuel costs and mortgage rates.
The prime minister was speaking at the conclusion of an EU summit in Brussels, where leaders agreed climate change targets and the G8 countries agreed to hold a summit on global financial reform.The prime minister was speaking at the conclusion of an EU summit in Brussels, where leaders agreed climate change targets and the G8 countries agreed to hold a summit on global financial reform.
In some areas, the petrol price is still as much as £1.20 a litre, that must change Gordon BrownIn some areas, the petrol price is still as much as £1.20 a litre, that must change Gordon Brown
He said fuel and mortgage rates were key areas, adding: "These are the issues that we are working on every day and I believe that we will see changes as a result of the measures we are working on."He said fuel and mortgage rates were key areas, adding: "These are the issues that we are working on every day and I believe that we will see changes as a result of the measures we are working on."
He returned to the issue of petrol prices several times - supermarkets Asda and Morrisons have announced they are dropping the price of unleaded petrol to 99.9p a litre. The prime minister returned to the issue of petrol prices several times - supermarkets Asda and Morrisons have announced they are dropping the price of unleaded petrol to 99.9p a litre.
Mr Brown said he was pleased, but added: "I would like to see other retailers following that lead."Mr Brown said he was pleased, but added: "I would like to see other retailers following that lead."
'Monitoring' prices'Monitoring' prices
He said the average price was still £1.07 and there was too much variation in prices across Britain.He said the average price was still £1.07 and there was too much variation in prices across Britain.
"In some areas, the petrol price is still as much as £1.20 a litre, that must change," he said."In some areas, the petrol price is still as much as £1.20 a litre, that must change," he said.
"We will be monitoring what is happening and I expect other companies to follow the path being taken by two supermarkets," he said."We will be monitoring what is happening and I expect other companies to follow the path being taken by two supermarkets," he said.
"People know that when oil prices go up, that is reflected very quickly in the petrol pump price. And they want to know that when it goes down, it is also reflected in the price.""People know that when oil prices go up, that is reflected very quickly in the petrol pump price. And they want to know that when it goes down, it is also reflected in the price."
Sarkozy 'brilliance'Sarkozy 'brilliance'
He was asked if he might call a snap general election, to take advantage of positive perceptions of his handling of the financial crisis well, but replied: "I am getting on with the job and trying to get us through these difficult times. It has got my undivided attention." BBC political correspondent Iain Watson said Mr Brown was keen to shift the agenda onto everyday issues which resonate with people rather than being seen as someone who just dealt with big issues like reforming global finance systems.
Mr Brown was asked if he might call a snap general election, to take advantage of positive perceptions of his handling of the financial crisis well, but replied: "I am getting on with the job and trying to get us through these difficult times. It has got my undivided attention."
He added later that the "only thing" on his mind was getting Britain through the crisis, through help with fuel bills for the elderly and those on low incomes: "I see it as my job to calm things down."He added later that the "only thing" on his mind was getting Britain through the crisis, through help with fuel bills for the elderly and those on low incomes: "I see it as my job to calm things down."
He also paid tribute to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who holds the EU's rotating presidency, saying he had performed his duties with a "great deal of brilliance" - there had been reports Mr Sarkozy was irritated that the media had portrayed the EU financial rescue plan as a British idea.He also paid tribute to French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who holds the EU's rotating presidency, saying he had performed his duties with a "great deal of brilliance" - there had been reports Mr Sarkozy was irritated that the media had portrayed the EU financial rescue plan as a British idea.
A Tesco spokesman said later it "completely supported" the idea that lower oil prices should be reflected at the pumps and said the supermarket had "led the way" with reductions in the past.A Tesco spokesman said later it "completely supported" the idea that lower oil prices should be reflected at the pumps and said the supermarket had "led the way" with reductions in the past.
It regularly staged offers where customers received cheaper fuel if they spent more than £50 in store, he said.It regularly staged offers where customers received cheaper fuel if they spent more than £50 in store, he said.
"This means that more customers will enjoy prices under £1 per litre at Tesco than at any other supermarket," the spokesman added."This means that more customers will enjoy prices under £1 per litre at Tesco than at any other supermarket," the spokesman added.