Fuel protests take place across the UK today
Protesters are standing up against rising fuel prices
Last updated 4th Jul 2022
Protests against the huge rise in fuel prices could cause disruption across the country today as protestors plan to block roads up and down the UK "until there is change".
The protests are part of a national campaign called Stand up to Fuel Prices, with protestors planning to block some major routes to highlight the issue and call for more action.
As the country continues to take a hit from the cost-of-living crisis, protests will take place from 6am today using cars, lorries, tractors and other resources to block roads including the A12 in Essex and the M25 across London.
‘Taking action against fuel prices’
Those that created the online group ‘Stand up for Fuel Prices UK wide’ have said they will use “whatever we have and cause roadblocks all over the country until there is change.”
They added, “The French done it £1.42 (per litre) and we’ve let it get near £2.00 which it is sure to reach very soon if we carry on letting it.
“Fuel costs in turn are driving our food, gas, electricity and more up, so let’s do something about it.
“The more people do this the sooner out living costs will drop to more realistic, affordable costs.”
‘Rising Fuel Prices continue to hit the UK’
Drivers are continuing to be hit by rising fuel prices despite a dip in wholesale costs.
Figures from data firm Experian show the average price of a litre of petrol at UK forecourts reached a new high of 191.4p on Thursday 30 June, while diesel rose to 199.1p.
Drivers have "a right to know" why they are still being charged record prices to fill up, according to the RAC.
RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said the rise in the price of petrol illustrates "the biggest retailers' resistance to reduce their pump prices in line with the lower wholesale cost of unleaded".
"We can see absolutely no rhyme or reason why average forecourt prices are still going up, given that the wholesale price of both fuels has been falling for weeks.”
He went on: "Rather than passing on some of the savings they are benefiting from, they are clearly banking on the wholesale market moving up again which is disappointing for drivers who are desperate to see an end to ever-rising prices.
"We question whether we will ever see much competition between supermarkets over fuel again, let alone a so-called 'price war'."
‘Aggressive behaviour at petrol pumps’
Retailers have reported a surge in verbal abuse towards forecourt staff by drivers angry at pump prices.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said: "With some reports of aggressive behaviour towards forecourt staff, we urge people to not abuse staff.
"It is not their fault, which is why the AA is directly challenging the Government, retailers and the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to find a quick and effective solution."
He added that drivers are "being taken for fools by retailers".
"With the Prime Minister and the Chancellor talking openly about the prospect of cutting fuel duty further, drivers need to hear less talk and see more action”, he said.
"An additional 10p cut in duty, which the AA called for weeks ago, will not only help ease the pressure at the pumps but keep prices in supermarket aisles down too.
"Until this happens, household budgets across the country will continue being squeezed."
What have the government said?
A 5p per litre reduction in fuel duty implemented by the Treasury in March has not stopped pump prices from soaring.
On Tuesday 28 June, Chancellor Rishi Sunak told MPs he will carefully consider calls for a "more substantial" fuel duty cut after the 5p per litre reduction failed to halt price rises.
In early June, the Competition and Markets Authority launched a "short and focused review" into how much drivers are being charged for fuel, after a request by Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng.
Amid concerns the previous reduction "didn't really touch the sides" for hard-pressed drivers, he said he would take the recommendations "under advisement" when challenged in the House of Commons.
'Fuel prices cut can't come soon enough'
RAC’s Simon Williams said a cut in pump prices "really can't come soon enough".
He went on: "If it's a further fuel duty cut that the Chancellor decides on, it's absolutely vital that this is passed on in full immediately by retailers to give drivers some respite from these historic high prices.
"It's also vital the Government monitors the wholesale market and closely scrutinises retailer margins."
Cost-of-living Crisis
Interest rates and inflation go up
Inflation rose by 8.8% in the 12 months to January 2023, down from 9.2% in December 2022. With interest rates also rising to 4%, those saving money will earn more interest on their finances, whilst those paying mortgages would pay more interest to the bank.
Energy bills
The price of energy went up incredibly as the cost of living crisis hit, with the gas price spike caused largely by the war in Ukraine. The price cap - which is set by an independent regulator to help offset costs onto customers - was set to rise to £3,549 for an average home in October but a price freeze from the government restricted the typical bill to £2,500. That's still an increase of 27% from the previous energy cap and as it's a cap on unit cost, the more energy you use the higher your bill will be.
Food prices
The cost of a weekly shop also has gone up as a result of the cost of living crisis. As a result of the war in Ukraine, a number of products including cooking oils and wheat have been disrupted. This means that several products are now considerably more expensive, driving bills up for customers.
Prices at the pumps
The average cost of petrol has also rose to unprecedented levels. Supply lines for petrol have been thrown into doubt as a result of the war in Ukraine, as Russia is a large export partner for gas, oil and fuel. In April 2022, the average price for a litre of petrol on the forecourt was 160.2p, whilst a litre of diesel would cost 170.5p. By late June 2022 the price had risen to an average of 190.9p for a litre of unleaded and 198.9p for a litre of diesel. In March 2023 the price wass on average of 147.03 in petrol and 167.04 in diesel.
Average cost of filling up a car with petrol hits £100
On 9th June 2022, the average cost of filling up a car with petrol hit £100 for the first time ever. Diesel had already hit that milestone. It comes as the cost of fuel hit a record high of one pound eighty a litre. The 2p rise was the biggest daily jump in 17 years. Prices have dropped by at least 20p per litre since the high point.
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