The Leading News & Information Service For The Facilities, Workplace & Built Environment Community

Consecutive Pump Jumps

08 July 2016 | Updated 01 January 1970
 

The average prices of petrol and diesel have increased for the fourth month running, according to RAC Fuel Watch data for June but wholesale fuel prices have only risen very slightly as a result of the pound weakening after the UK voted to leave the EU.

Unleaded went up 1.5p a litre (110.69p to 112.17p) and diesel by 1.66p (110.73p to 112.39p) in a month which saw oil rise from $48 to an early high of $50.73 and then fall to a mid-month low of $45.95 before finishing June on $48 again, coupled, of course, with the pound hitting a 31-year low against the dollar.

The impact of the 11% post-referendum fall in the value of the pound was softened by a simultaneous 6% drop in the oil price, meaning wholesale prices were largely unaffected. The pound ended the month 7% weaker – $1.43 to $1.34.

The forecourt price rise, which has seen unleaded go up more than 10p a litre from 101.91p at the start of March to 112.17p at the end of June, means the cost of filling an average petrol family car has increased by £5.64 to £61.69 in four months. The June pump price rise added 81p (£60.88 to £61.69) to the cost of a tank of petrol and 91p (£60.90 to £61.81) to a complete diesel fill-up. Diesel is now nearly 11p more expensive than at the beginning of March (101.56p to 112.39p), making a tank £5.96 dearer.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: "June was another bad month for motorists with the price of petrol going up again. While it was only a penny and a half it makes for a rise of more than 10p since the start of March. Filling up with unleaded is now £5.64 more expensive which is enough to make an unpleasant dent in household budgets up and down the country, especially for those who have more than one car or need to fill up regularly.

“But it is good news that fuel prices are so far weathering the Brexit storm; wholesale prices have remained relatively stable after an initial small upward jolt as a result of the pound falling on news of the referendum result. The fact the oil price dropped at the same time lessened the negative effect of the pound’s devaluation. We may well see pump prices rise slightly in July, but current indications are that this is unlikely to be the shock rise some were predicting.

“The lower cost of a barrel of oil plays the greatest part in keeping forecourt prices down. It’s also worth remembering that compared to a year ago we are still paying around 5p less for petrol and nearly 8.5p less for diesel.

“While economists are saying the pound is unlikely to recover the ground it lost against the dollar so dramatically the day after the referendum, the oil price looks likely to stay around the $50 mark for some time due to OPEC’s continued over production strategy. There is also a hope that prices might even fall once various issues that have hindered production around the world are resolved.”

Picture: Every month for four months filling up has gotten more expensive

Article written by Robin Snow | Published 08 July 2016

Share


Related Tags


Related Articles

Fuel Protests – Does Climate Activism Work?

2022 has seen several protests at refineries and fuel terminals, causing disruption in fuel supplies. Does action of this scale help or hinder progress on stopping...

 Read Full Article
How a Russian Invasion of Ukraine Could Affect Global Markets

In the event of a Russian invasion of Ukraine, several markets could feel the effect, including energy, grain and fuel. The USA, UK and the EU have already begun...

 Read Full Article
The Budget 2018 - 24 Things You Need To Know

The Chancellor has presented his Budget to Parliament – here's a summary of what was announced...but we've tried to put it in order of relevance to the FM...

 Read Full Article
Sterling's Slump to Fuel Fuel Price Hike

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams has predicted there will be a rise in wholesale fuel prices caused by a weak pound. He said: “The unexpectedly sharp fall in the...

 Read Full Article
Hitting the Road is Hitting the Pocket

The RAC study has found that average prices of petrol and diesel have increased for the third month in a row - but there is no sign of relief despite Brent Crude prices...

 Read Full Article