Paint companies are split over whether refinish prices in the UK will have to rise by 7% or more as a result of recent oil price rises. One paint company representative, who did not want to be named, said further increases “beyond inflation” were likely.

“We were hoping for a modest increase this year, but unfortunately raw material prices make that impossible,” he said. “We are expecting something between 7-11%.”

But PPG marketing manager Jacqui Casey insisted that there would be no increase “at least this side of Christmas”.