The surge in the cost of oil has led to the biggest weekly rise in pump prices for at least 18 years, according to government data.
Weekly fuel price information from Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) shows that in the week to Monday the average price of petrol rose from 149.2ppl to 153ppl, a jump of 3.8ppl.
Over the same period it reported diesel rose from 153.pl to 158.6ppl, up 5.2ppl
Figures from data firm Experian Catalist, based on a different methodology to the one used by BEIS, suggest the average cost per litre of petrol on Monday was 156.4p, while diesel was 162.3p.
Oil prices have spiked due to concerns over the reliability of supplies amid the war in Ukraine.
The price per barrel of Brent crude reached $139 on Monday, its highest level in 14 years.
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “With the tragedy in Ukraine showing no signs of abating it looks like we all need to brace for forecourt prices to continue upward, not least because they tend to lag oil price movements by a week or two.
“Whilst higher pump prices may make more people consider switching to electric cars that’s not a realistic overnight fix. In the short term the best most of us can do is look for ways to drive less, perhaps by sharing trips, perhaps by building on two years of Covid restrictions to work from home, and when we do drive to go easy on the throttle.”
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