An Office of Fair Trading investigation has rejected allegations of local fuel price fixing, it was revealed today. West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has been contacted by the OFT after she raised concerns on behalf of constituents and following an article on fuel pricing in the Malvern Gazette. The OFT has rejected claims that there is local price fixing but also denied that fuel prices are significantly higher in the county than elsewhere in the UK. The OFT concedes that prices are ‘slightly above the UK average’ but it has refused to act without fuller evidence of price fixing. ln an official response to an enquiry from Harriett, OFT chief executive John Fingleton reveals that its research suggests that petrol prices are 1.8p more expensive than the national average and diesel is 1.5p more expensive. Harriett commented: “We have all heard anecdotal reports of higher than average fuel prices in the county and the OFT response confirms that we are suffering more than most. “Often we see the petrol companies reacting too slowly to the reduction in crude oil prices and not passing these reductions on at the pumps, “I have been disappointed by the reaction of the OFT but it is clear to me that we need to pass on more evidence to prove our case. “I hope that we will all keep a watchful eye out and pass on evidence of collusion to fix prices at an excessive level to my office so I can pass them on the OFT.”