Local MP Alun Cairns has said that Vale residents are paying over the odds for petrol and heating oil.
Earlier this week, he raised the matter with the Chancellor, who has responded by calling on fuel companies to pass on the reduction in oil prices on to consumers.
Petrol prices in the Vale can be 2 or 3 pence higher than those in Cardiff and Swansea. The price differences for heating oil between some suppliers can be stark, as much as £50-60 on 1000 litres.
Alun is therefore recommending that consumers shop around and switch to a cheaper supplier to save money. He also updates his Facebook page weekly with the lowest petrol prices locally.
Mr Cairns said, “It is important that we gain the benefit of the reduction in oil prices. The Chancellor has agreed to press the case nationally and I want to do the same locally.
“Heating oil prices by some suppliers to the Vale have not reduced since mid-December. This is despite the fact that the price of oil has fallen dramatically.
“The price per litre in December for heating oil was 44 pence, a level that remained the same earlier this week.
“There is not much price consistency between suppliers, with some charging as much as £60 more for a thousand litres of oil.
“I strongly encourage local people to shop around to ensure there is greater competition among suppliers.
“Locals can also sign up to my Facebook page, where I will post the lowest petrol prices regularly. It is wrong that petrol in some chains in Barry charge 2 or 3 pence per litre more.”