UK drivers have been cautioned to prepare for a significant fuel price increase by the end of the week, as long queues form at petrol stations across the country. Howard Cox, founder of FairFuelUK, told GB News that pump prices could rise between 5p and 10p per litre due to a recent 20% surge in oil prices.
“The big concern right now is the sharp increase in oil prices, which I expect to translate into higher costs at the pumps by week’s end,” Cox explained. He criticized Chancellor Rachel Reeves for missing an opportunity to ease the burden on motorists by not suspending the upcoming fuel duty hike. “All she needed to do was announce a freeze on the fuel duty rise for another year,” he said.
Cox also condemned what he described as “opportunistic profiteering” within the fuel supply chain, noting that the government had promised to tackle this issue but has yet to act decisively. He warned that without intervention, families and businesses will continue to face mounting costs.
READ MORE: New March to July Dog Walking Law Enforced Across UK with Potential Unlimited Fines
READ MORE: DWP Issues 63,000 Universal Credit Sanctions, 90% for Missed Mandatory Interviews
On environmental policies, Cox dismissed net zero targets and the 2030 ban on petrol and diesel vehicles as unrealistic and costly. “The expenses far outweigh any supposed benefits, making these policies more fantasy than fact,” he said.
Meanwhile, Brent crude oil prices climbed to $82 (£61) a barrel earlier this week before easing slightly. Industry analysts, including Britain’s AA, have warned that record fuel prices could be reached within the next two weeks if current trends persist.