The vast majority of motorists believe the government should step in and offer support to combat the UK’s soaring fuel prices, a survey of 10,000 drivers has found.
The poll reveals 98.5% of people are very or fairly worried about the current price of petrol and diesel, with 88.8% saying the government should introduce support to help with the cost of running a vehicle.
The survey, commissioned by PetrolPrices, indicates there is widespread support for maintaining or increasing the 5ppl fuel duty ‘discount’, which is due to begin winding down in January 2027. Some 20.9% of those surveyed say the discount should remain in place, while 67.8% think it should be increased.
With average diesel prices nearing £2 a litre and heading towards an all-time high, and unleaded sitting at 173.6p, up more than 30p compared to two years ago, 88.8% of drivers say rising fuel costs have impacted their household finances, while 60.1% have significantly reduced the amount they drive.
Clare Lafferty, PetrolPrices’ commercial director, says her company’s app is growing in popularity, and “drivers are increasingly having to think about when and where they drive, where they fill up and what other spending they may need to cut back on as fuel becomes more expensive.
She adds: “That makes shopping around increasingly important. Even a relatively small difference in the price per litre can add up over multiple fill-ups, particularly while prices remain at these levels.”
