To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any assessment her Department has made of recent increases in petrol and diesel prices in Northern Ireland, including the extent to which they reflect changes in (i) wholesale fuel costs; (ii) retailer margins; and (iii) distribution costs.

I am acutely aware of the pressure that recent increases in petrol and diesel prices have placed on households, commuters and businesses across the North. Higher fuel costs can have a significant impact on household budgets, while also increasing operating costs for businesses, particularly those in transport, logistics, construction, agriculture and other sectors that rely heavily on fuel.

While my Department does not undertake detailed assessments of the individual contributions of wholesale fuel costs, retailer margins or distribution costs to changes in pump prices, the Consumer Council does monitor retail fuel prices across the North through its Fuel Price Checker service. This helps provide insight into trends in fuel prices and regional variations, while also supporting greater transparency for consumers.