London, UK: The UK is one of the European countries that has done the least to support drivers with rocketing fuel prices since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to new RAC Europe data analysis.
Out of 13 EU countries that have cut tax on fuel in order to ease the spiralling costs, only one – Croatia – is doing less for its drivers than the UK, with a cut in diesel prices worth 4.5p. The UK government announced a 5p duty cut at the Budget in March.
The average price of a litre of both petrol and diesel is well above the current EU averages of 159p and 161p respectively. The UK is currently the second most expensive for diesel at 195p per litre, with only Sweden charging more (201p).
RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “This analysis lays bare an uncomfortable truth for the UK government – that compared to other European countries, it’s pretty much done the least to support drivers through the current period of record high fuel prices. The result is the UK being one of the most expensive places to fill up and putting it above other countries that have historically charged more for fuel than UK retailers do, including France and the Netherlands.
“Perhaps even more frustratingly, those countries that have not cut tax on fuel at all since March – including Greece and Austria – are still cheaper than the UK. At the opposite end of the spectrum, some other nations have done a huge amount, with Portugal cutting duty an incredible seven times since March, and France and Spain both offering significant discounts on fuel at the checkout.
“Drivers might also be surprised to learn that some major oil companies and fuel retailers – including BP in Spain and Total in France – have decided to introduce their own discounts, something that’s unheard of here.
“It’s frustrating that repeated calls to the UK government for more support are falling on deaf ears. UK pump prices might be finally starting to fall, but the reductions so far are too little and too late, given the massive wholesale price drops retailers have been benefiting from for nearly two months.”
