Pumps of pain
Fuel prices up for sixth day in a row
DRIVERS have had another pasting at the pumps, with petrol prices rising for the sixth day running.
But calls on Chancellor Rishi Sunak to bring in immediate tax cuts fell on deaf ears again.
The average cost of unleaded was up almost a penny in a day to a new high of 183.16p a litre. It has soared 7p in a week.
Diesel also rose nearly a penny in a day to 188.82p – 4.5p dearer in a week.
With fuel prices up 50p in the past 12 months, the AA said it is the “worst week of pump pain so far”.
The motoring organisation estimates the high street is losing £23million a day as people cut back on spending to keep their cars on the road.
AA president Edmund King called for “more fuel price transparency to stop the daily rip-offs at the pumps”.
RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “The Government must take further action to reduce the enormous financial burden on drivers. But... it seems fixated on ensuring retailers are passing on March’s 5p duty cut fully.”
He blasted the 5p reduction as “a drop in the ocean”. Figures show the average price of motorway petrol is almost £2 and just over £2 for diesel.
Fuel costs are stopping some in the health and care sectors from working, a union has warned.
Unison boss Christina McAnea said: “Community health workers, health visitors, care workers, social workers say they can’t afford to do their jobs any more. We’re hearing of people who would rather phone in sick because they don’t have the money to fill up their cars and do their jobs.”
She added the Government has “no plan” to tackle the cost-of-living crisis. Filling a family hatchback now costs over £100, and there are calls for fuel duty to be slashed by a further 10p. Boris Johnson is refusing to budge, saying: “We made a cut already – the biggest cut ever in fuel duty.”
But Tory grandee Sir Iain Duncan Smith said reducing the burden on people “is critical”, adding: “I’d like to see tax cuts.”