UK Petrol Prices Reach Highest Levels Since 2022 Ahead of Bank Holiday

Petrol prices across the United Kingdom have risen to an average of 161.6 pence per litre, while diesel sits at 183.4 pence per litre, according to the AA. These levels are the highest recorded since November 2022, a period that followed the escalation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The surge comes as millions of motorists prepare for the upcoming bank-holiday weekend, during which the RAC expects traffic on motorways and major roads to exceed 4.1 million cars—the most since the RAC began tracking data in 2015.

The Guardian

The price increase is linked to broader fluctuations in global oil markets. After the U.S.–Israeli attack on Iran in February, Brent crude traded around $72 per barrel, peaked at $126 in April, fell to $71 by early July on hopes of a peace deal, and now trades near $89.63 per barrel. The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) reported this summer that many fuel retailers were slow to pass falling wholesale costs onto consumers, prompting the regulator to issue over 1,000 warning letters to stations that failed to share prices via the government-run Fuel Finder service.

The Guardian

• Average petrol price: 161.6 pence/litre (AA)

The Guardian

• Average diesel price: 183.4 pence/litre (AA)

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• Expected vehicles on roads during the bank holiday: > 4.1 million (RAC)

The Guardian

• CMA warning letters sent: > 1,000 (CMA)

The Guardian

• Areas where fuel was ? 10 pence below the national average: Aylesbury, Wembley, Gloucester (AA)

The Guardian

The CMA indicated it will intensify monitoring of pump prices amid concerns about profiteering linked to the U.S. war with Iran, which has driven up wholesale costs. The AA also advised drivers to use the Fuel Finder tool to locate cheaper stations.

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• “Drivers just need to find them and go to them.” — Gloucester. He

The Guardian

Higher fuel costs increase financial pressure on drivers, especially those undertaking long-distance trips for the holiday. The combination of elevated prices and anticipated traffic congestion may exacerbate road-side delays and fuel-related expenses, prompting many motorists to seek lower-priced stations identified through the Fuel Finder service.

The Guardian