Rising oil cost and duty put up price of petrol sharply

Petrol pump prices have risen sharply after falling back during the summer, the AA said yesterday.

Petrol is now at an average of 117.75p a litre – a 2.5p rise on the mid-September price.

Diesel has gone up even more – increasing 3.28p to stand at an average of 121.30p a litre.

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Rising oil prices in early October plus a Government-planned fuel-duty rise on October 1 contributed to the petrol and diesel increase.

The AA said UK diesel drivers would be concerned that the price differential between petrol and diesel had widened to 3.55p a litre for the first time since early June 2009.

The AA added that for UK families trying to digest the impact of Government cuts, this month's 1.25-a-tank increase in petrol costs has added 5.30 to the monthly fuel spending of a two-car household.

London remains the most expensive region for petrol, averaging 118.4p a litre, with Yorkshire and Humberside cheapest at 116.8p.

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Wales has become the dearest region for diesel at 122.2p a litre while Yorkshire and Humberside motorists enjoy the lowest average price – 120.6p.

AA president Edmund King said: "Price hikes will be felt this weekend as record numbers take to the roads for the half-term getaway.

"This month's fuel price rises will put pressure on families and inflation targets, although the Government must be keeping its fingers crossed for a stronger pound and less speculation in the oil and fuel markets."