The average price of petrol at the pumps has now reached 140.20ppl, with diesel hitting a new record of 146.72ppl.

According to the AA, the driver of a car consuming, on average, 106.17 litres of petrol a month would now be spending £8.44 a month more than at the start of the year.

The record-high price comes just a day after Chancellor George Osborne refused to freeze fuel duty. The planned 3ppl duty hike (3.6ppl once VAT is applied) will go ahead on August 1.

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