UK diesel prices highest

The Scottish Government set out ten budget demands, including a call to cut the waiting time for initial payments of Universal Credit from six weeks to four.

Holyrood ministers have also called for £140 million worth of VAT paid by emergency services over the past four years to be refunded.

Finance Secretary Derek Mackay said: “The Chancellor must meet key tests in his autumn Budget to repair some of this damage, to recognise the serious challenges we are facing as a result of Brexit and to bring forward substantial measures to boost the economy and ease the pressure on the public sector and those who work in it.” The cost of diesel has reached its highest level in almost three years, new figures show.

Average forecourt prices across the UK have hit £1.23 per litre according to government data.

The last time prices were this high was in December 2014.

Drivers of unleaded vehicles are also suffering from rising prices.

The average cost of a litre of unleaded is £1.20, which is an eight-month high.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said multiple factors are to blame for the spike in diesel prices, including a barrel of oil hitting $64 (£48) and the plummeting value of ster- 0 Diesel prices have risen as sterling’s value slides ling against the dollar. “Fuel, like oil, is traded in dollars so we’re effectively getting less diesel for our money,” he said.

Mr Williams also noted that entering winter puts pressure on diesel prices as refineries switch to producing domestic heating oil, which reduces