PUMP PAIN
Petrol prices soar for first time in months due to ‘two reasons’ – find out how much more you’ll be paying
But it's not all doom and gloom for Brits trying to make ends meet
FILLING up a family car has jumped even higher this month - forcing struggling families to part with even more hard-earned cash.
Families up and down the country will now have to pay an extra £2 per full-tank - making daily tasks even more difficult.
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The increase has taken place in the three weeks leading up to February 18, petrol prices jumped up by 3.2p per litre - now totalling 143.4p.
As well as that, Diesel prices climbed higher and now cost an extra 4p, meaning every litre will set Brits back 152p.
The price-hike has happened as a result of an increase in oil costs, which had been sold at over £64 ($80) a barrel for the last month.
One of the reasons oil has become more expensive is because of the Red Sea attacks by Houthis rebels - an iranian-backed group - who are attacking tankers and forcing oil ships to take alternate routes to avoid conflict.
Simon Williams, the fuel spokesperson, said: “News that fuel prices have bottomed out and are now on the rise again is bad news for drivers, and possibly the economy and future inflation rates, too.
“While we’re not expecting prices to shoot up dramatically, it appears that oil is trading up, which in the absence of a stronger pound means wholesale fuel costs more for retailers to buy in.
"The result is higher prices at the pump and more expense for the everyday driver.”
However, RAC execs also noted that other reasons are to do with retailers over-ordering fuel stocks before a possible fuel-duty hike comes into play.
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The Sun’s Give Us A Brake campaign
The Sun's Give Us A Brake Campaign aims to slow down the Government’s ruinous race to net zero - and is now backed by readers and thirty top politicians.
The campaign is a five-point manifesto to cut down on costly new plans, including scrapping Ulez expansions and halting the petrol and diesel motor ban.
OUR FIVE POINT MANIFESTO
1. No Ulez expansion in London or nationwide.
2. No Low-Traffic Neighbourhoods where the public objects.
3. Delay on 2030 diesel and petrol car ban until the country is ready.
4. Scrap the edict that 22 percent of car sales must be electric by 2024.
5. No new green motoring stealth taxes and a fuel duty freeze.
Execs at the motor firm said they do not expect prices to get much higher, they said: "A lot depends on how much margin the biggest retailers decide to take."
The troubling news comes right after Brits were being afforded a break on the cost of filling up - as prices had been steadily dropping over the last three months.
Prices had dipped by 17p - from 157p to 140p - in January, which is reportedly the lowest it had been in almost three years.
Brit motorists can save over £400 a year on petrol & diesel with simple change to fuel habits - & driving style could make all the difference
Diesel prices also reduced by 15p - from 163p in October to just under 148p in January - and were cheaper for most of Summer 2023.
A mixture of factors then started inflating the prices, including the energy crisis which started in 2021, made even more difficult after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
It's not all doom and gloom for the nation though, as price-breaks have started to be announced that could give hard-up families a welcome break for their bank balance.
Thousands of households on benefits can save £700 on their yearly energy bills - and they might not have to spend a penny to get it.
Also, households will today welcome more relief as energy bills are expected to fall by nearly £300 a year.
Read More on The Sun
Finally, those that could still struggle to make ends meet once the energy prices fall, could take advantage of free money-saving gadgets and grants of £2,000.
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