Drivers are being warned of soaring petrol and diesel prices, with further hikes to come, as the Tories call for a vote in the Commons to address fuel duty.
The latest pricing data from the RAC shows that motorists are paying an average of 142.29p for petrol and 162.06p for diesel.
In less than three weeks since the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, petrol prices have jumped by 10p a litre, while diesel drivers face a 20p hike.
Experts from the RAC are warning that fuel prices will continue to rise over the coming days and weeks as the conflict in the Middle East rages on.
Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, said fuel prices were “really starting to hurt” motorists who travel a lot, especially if they own diesel vehicles.
The average driver with a family car that contains a 55-litre diesel tank will be paying £89 at the pumps with current costs.
Mr Williams called on drivers to shop around for their fuel and select the cheapest retailer, which was “now more important than ever”.
“If oil stays around the $100 (£75) a barrel mark, then the price of petrol should not go above 148p a litre. The outlook for diesel is worse as it appears to be on a crash course to an average price of 170p,” the expert noted.
Drivers are being warned that petrol and diesel prices will continue to rise in the near future
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He specifically highlighted the Government’s Fuel Finder scheme, which shows motorists the latest fuel prices for almost all forecourts registered in the UK.
An estimated 90 per cent of forecourts around the country are now signed up to the scheme. Original forecasts from the Department for Transport suggested drivers could save between 1p and 6p per litre.
It comes as the Conservatives seek to force a vote in the Commons in a bid to scrap the “disgusting” fuel duty hike being introduced in September.
Labour is expected to reverse the 5p fuel duty cut in a staggered reversal of the rules introduced by the then-Conservative Government in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The price of a barrel of Brent crude oil is now sitting above $103 (£77)
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Under current plans, Chancellor Rachel Reeves will oversee the reversal by 1p in September, 2p in December and 2p in March 2027, when rates return to pre-March 2022 levels.
The Prime Minister and Chancellor have confirmed that tax policies are constantly “under review”, although pressure has been mounting for an intervention to be made.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch described Labour as “disgusting” for trying to hike fuel duty rates during an “energy crisis”.
This was reiterated by Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden, who said: “Conservatives froze and cut fuel duty over 15 years.
The 5p fuel duty cut was introduced in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 | PA
“Now Labour want to take drivers for a ride with three fuel tax rises just as families are running on empty thanks to Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves economic vandalism.
“This is a tax on work, a tax on travel and a tax on the millions of drivers who keep Britain moving. It will hit commuters, hammer hauliers and drive-up prices in every shop in Britain.”
A Treasury spokesperson emphasised that the Government inherited a “broken financial system” and was working to improve current conditions.
“We have the right economic plan. We have extended the 5p fuel duty cut to September to save drivers £49, and our new fuel finder will ensure drivers get a fair deal at the pump,” they added.