UK Fuel Prices Update as Middle East Conflict Enters Fourth Day
Motorists across the United Kingdom are being urged to maintain their regular refuelling habits and avoid panic buying at petrol stations, despite warnings that fuel prices could increase due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The situation has entered its fourth day, causing a noticeable rise in oil prices that experts anticipate will eventually affect forecourt costs.
Expert Analysis on Price Trends
Luke Bosdet, a spokesperson for the AA, provided insight into the current market conditions. He stated, "Pump prices are heading up – wholesale costs had been increasing even before the weekend’s strikes on Iran. However, pump averages today are still below where they started the year, and petrol is almost 6.5p a litre cheaper than this time last year. That makes a tank of petrol more than £3.50 cheaper than in early March 2025."
Bosdet further explained that while there has been some increased demand for fuel, which was expected, most drivers are following advice to stick to their usual routines. He emphasized, "There’s no point wasting time, fuel, and money queuing when drivers don’t need to." The AA confirmed that this increased demand has not led to queues spilling onto roads.
Timeline for Price Impact
Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, clarified that the impact of rising oil prices should not be immediately felt at the pumps. He said, "We really shouldn’t see a shock jump in prices at the pumps as wholesale fuel costs had only been rising gradually in recent weeks. Even though the price of dated Brent crude rose by five dollars a barrel yesterday to 78 dollars, the impact of this shouldn’t be felt for over a week."
Williams urged retailers to act responsibly by not increasing prices on fuel already in their forecourt tanks. He added, "Knowing the tendency for price increases to be passed on far more quickly than cuts, on behalf of drivers we urge retailers not to put up the price of fuel they’ve already got in forecourt tanks and reflect any increases in wholesale fuel fairly on the forecourt."
Economic Implications and Calls for Action
Gordon Balmer, executive director of the Petrol Retailers Association, confirmed that pump prices will inevitably rise due to the conflict. He stated, "The conflict in the Middle East has increased the wholesale cost of petrol and diesel, which will mean pump prices will have to go up. Rising fuel prices hurt the economy in the form of higher inflation, impacting already hard-pressed household budgets."
In response to these concerns, Balmer announced that he is writing to the Chancellor to advocate for the abandonment of planned fuel duty increases, aiming to provide relief for motorists and businesses during this period of uncertainty.
