Fuel Price Surge Hits Northern England Hardest Following Middle East Conflict
Petrol and diesel prices have increased significantly for drivers across the United Kingdom, driven by recent unrest in the Middle East. The most severely affected regions in England are located in the north, where diesel prices have surged by more than 34%.
Motorists are now paying approximately £26 more to fill a tank of fuel, with widespread concerns that costs could continue to escalate in the coming weeks.
Impact of Middle East Tensions on Global Oil Supply
This price hike follows Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, initiated after US and Israeli airstrikes began on February 28. This critical shipping lane is utilized by tankers to transport around 20% of the world's oil supply, making disruptions here particularly impactful on global markets.
Since the conflict started, average diesel prices have skyrocketed by nearly 38% in Northern Ireland, while petrol has increased by over 21%. In England, the average price of diesel in the north west reached 189.45p per litre on Tuesday, April 7.
Regional Breakdown of Fuel Price Increases
According to analysis of official data by Fuel-Finder UK, petrol prices have risen by 18.86% to 157.09p per litre in the north west and by 19.50% to 156.71p per litre in the north east.
In Scotland and Wales, diesel has increased in price by 33% and nearly 35% respectively, while petrol prices have gone up by just over 18% and 19%.
Financial Burden on UK Drivers
The RAC reports that the average UK cost of filling a 55-litre family car with petrol has increased by £13 from £73.05 since the start of the Iran conflict. For diesel vehicles, the increase is even more substantial at £26, rising from £78.31.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams commented: "While the four-day Easter weekend will have been a good break for many, it's proved bad for fuel prices with both petrol and diesel going up significantly yet again."
"Over the course of the bank holiday, petrol went up 2.6p a litre to 157.02p and diesel by 4.2p to 189.42p," Williams continued. "Diesel looks set to go through the 190p-a-litre mark on Wednesday which would then mean it's only 9p away from the record high set on 25 June 2022 (199.09p)."
"Drivers – particularly those who rely on diesel which is up by a third since the start of the conflict – are facing a torrid time, even with the current 5p-a-litre duty discount in place," Williams concluded.
