Fuelling the debate

THIS week my Champion-reading mates have all been asking me the same question, usually in the same startled tone of voice. Petrol costs how much?

Rises in both fuel duty and VAT over the past week have meant fuel prices have soared in parts of Sefton and West Lancashire to as much as £1.30 per litre for petrol and as much as £1.35 per litre for diesel, meaning the cost of filling your car up now easily beats the previous price records, set in the summer of 2008.

“When you combine the 3.5 per cent increases from the fuel duty and VAT rises this week and those when more fuel duty is added in April, it will put 7p on a litre of unleaded petrol,” said AA spokesman Luke Bodset.

“Low-income drivers, youngsters with their first job who live at home, and part-time workers having to drive to work will be hit hard. There will also be a knock-on effect on the leisure industry, hotels and restaurants because motorists will not be able to afford to go out as much.”

It's also worth remembering that if you think fuel prices are bad now, they're going to get worse, with the Coalition Government planning further increases to the cost of fuel in August. The Freight Transport Association has also said it expects hauliers to be among the worst affected, with fuel costs for them on average going up by £3,800 a year compared to 2009.

Do you think drivers are being overcharged for fuel? Or do you think it's a necessary evil in the Government's attempts to balance the books? Let us know by sending an email to david.simister@champnews.com or commenting on this blog post.