The price of filling up continues to see a steep increase for drivers since Donald Trump launched his war with Iran.
Across Penrith today all but two petrol station are charging above 150p per litre of Unleaded Petrol and all but one are charging above 180p per litre of diesel.
Unleaded petrol is now on average 17p more per litre than before the war began with Diesel 35p per litre more expensive.
Brent Crude oil topped $110 a barrel again today Friday with prices fluctuating between $73 and $116 a barrel for over the last four weeks leading to the rapid change in prices at the pumps for drivers.
With petrol at its highest price for nearly two years, RAC head of policy Simon Williams said:
"Petrol has now broken through the unwelcome milestone of 150p a litre (150.11p), something drivers haven't seen since mid-May two years ago while the average price of diesel is now approaching 180p at 177.68p.
"With the long-awaited four-day Easter weekend almost within touching distance, the cost of getting away by car is going to be noticeably higher this year. And with average prices at motorway services at 166p for unleaded and 182p for diesel, drivers on long journeys will need to plan very carefully where they refuel. The best advice remains to shop around for fuel and make use of free apps such as myRAC to never pay a penny more for fuel than is absolutely necessary.”
Directors of one of the towns petrol station has this week issued a statement on the rising fuel costs.
In a statement issued by the directors of Hills they said: “Being a locally owned family business, Hills continue to absorb and delay increases in fuel prices as far as it possibly can and has taken a significantly lower profit since the Iranian crisis began than we need to survive.
Hills cost price of Diesel, for example has increased by 44.5p excluding VAT since the 21st February and Hills retail price has increased by 42.5p in the same period.”
“We share your frustration and possibly anger that the recent fuel price increase due to the Iranian conflict has caused but we are doing our very best to keep our retail prices as low as possible and our employees are not to blame so please be respectful as we continue to endure the current pain.”
Calls are growing for the UK government to cut duty paid on fuel with some European countries already cutting the duty on fuel to lower the pump prices.
Today the UK government are taking on average an extra 8.5p VAT per litre of diesel sold today compared with vat on a litre of diesel on the 21st February.
John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said:
"Taxpayers are deeply concerned about how they’re going to make ends meet if the price at the pump increases by as much as is being forecast.
“The chancellor certainly isn’t to blame for the expected surge in petrol prices over the coming days, but if she chooses to press ahead with the hike in fuel duty then she’ll be responsible for pouring petrol on the fire.“Reeves needs to immediately scrap the hike on petrol prices and also look at pausing VAT on fuel duty, as currently motorists are being double taxed given they pay VAT on both the price of petrol and on the additional fuel duty on top.”
You can find the current price of fuel at all local petrol stations including who is the cheapest on our Penrith.Town Fuel Map.
Then select "Add to Home Screen"
