SUPERMARKETS throughout the region have slashed their fuel prices due to the fuel duty cut in Chancellor Rishi Sunak's Spring Statement.

The fuel duty cut was announced to combat soaring prices at petrol pumps after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent costs even higher.

A 5p per litre reduction is in place until March 2023, which is the biggest rate cut on record.

Read more: How Rishi Sunak's Spring Statement will affect you

That came into effect at on Wednesday, March 23 and as a result, several supermarkets have reduced their prices.

Asda and Sainsbury’s both cut prices by 6p per litre following the rule change, with Morrison’s slashing prices by 5p.

Darlington

Sainsbury’s: Unleaded - 157.9p; Diesel - 169.9p

ASDA: Unleaded – 158.7p; Diesel – 170.7p

Morrison’s North Road and Morton Park: Unleaded – 158.7p; Diesel – 172.7p

Bishop Auckland

Tesco: Unleaded - 154.9p; Diesel - 168.9p

Morrison’s: Unleaded - 155.7p; Diesel - 172.7p

Sainsbury’s: Unleaded - 155.9p; Diesel - 167.9p

ASDA: Unleaded - 158.7p; Diesel - 170.7p

Newton Aycliffe

Tesco: Unleaded - 155.9p; Diesel - 169.9p

Sedgefield

Sainsbury’s: Unleaded - 157.9p; Diesel - 169.9p

Durham

Tesco: Unleaded - 158.9p; Diesel - 168.9p

Sainsbury’s: Unleaded - 158.9p; Diesel - 167.9p

Earlier this week, some forecourts were found to have failed to pass on the fuel duty savings.

Petrol prices have fallen just 2.71p, and diesel down 1.59p, despite Rishi Sunak saying a 5p fuel cut comes into effect from 6pm on Wednesday, research from The AA found.

Average pump prices across the UK show petrol averaged 164.59p a litre and diesel at 178.72p a litre after the fuel duty cut came into force. This is a slight decrease from Tuesday when petrol and diesel pump prices jumped to new records at 167.30p and 179.72p a litre.

“The Chancellor rode to the rescue of drivers on Wednesday and, even before the 6pm start of the fuel duty cut, drivers were reporting the price cut at some Asda forecourts,” said Luke Bosdet, the AA’s fuel price spokesman.

“However, on Thursday, the average price of petrol showed that less than half (2.71p) of the fuel duty cut had been passed on to drivers.”

Drivers have faced record pump prices since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led to an increase in the cost of oil.

The RAC criticised the Chancellor for not going far enough, with head of policy, Nicholas Lyes, describing the cut as “a drop in the ocean” as it will “only take prices back to where they were just over a week ago”.

While Mr Bosdet said we must accept that, for many forecourts, the duty cut will come through with the next delivery of fuel, he agreed the size of the fall is very disappointing.

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