Ministers have declined to confirm whether they hold confidential briefings on fuel prices, warning that disclosure could trigger panic buying and destabilise financial markets. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero stated it could 'neither confirm nor deny' the existence of briefing notes on petrol and diesel prices from recent weeks.
Unusual Secrecy
This level of secrecy is atypical for a cost-of-living issue that carries significant political weight. The 'neither confirm nor deny' stance is more commonly associated with national security matters. Responding to a freedom of information request from the Press Association, the department argued that acknowledging such materials could incite 'mass purchasing' at petrol stations and cause 'economic damage' to the United Kingdom.
Economic Context
Official data indicates a rise in UK inflation, partly driven by a sharp increase in petrol and diesel prices linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict. The department's response to a request for briefing notes, submissions, or summary papers prepared for ministers on fuel price changes in February and March stated: 'The department considers that confirming or denying that information is held would cause instability and economic damage to the wider economy.'
It added: 'UK petrol and diesel prices, and financial markets more broadly, are very sensitive to the release of any information that relates to factors affecting UK retail fuel prices. Confirming or denying that information is held relating to factors affecting fuel prices would cause widespread concerns over security of supply and lead to the mass purchasing of fuel, further distorting fuel prices and putting strain on fuel supply chains. This information would also impact the internationally traded crude oil price, causing volatility in UK financial markets and impacting inflation.'
Policy Considerations
The department noted that ministers are 'actively considering options' to address the impact of the Middle East conflict on UK consumers. Their response read: 'The information you have requested, if held, would relate to the formulation and development of policy regarding a response to the Middle East conflict and the effect this is having on global oil and UK retail fuel prices, with ministers and officials actively considering options and assessing evidence in order to inform future decisions.'
Previous supply chain disruptions in 2021 led to panic buying at petrol stations, resulting in long queues across the country. The government's current stance appears aimed at avoiding a repeat of such scenes.
