Drivers face further misery at the pumps as fuel costs rise

By Claire McNeilly – 01 September 2009

Drivers' wallets will feel an added pressure today after a new fuel levy came into force.

Despite intense lobbying to get it to reverse its decision, the government pressed ahead with its planned 2p-a-litre hike in fuel.

But when VAT is taken into account, the actual increase will actually be 2.3p — if not 5p as oil prices worldwide increase.

It means motorists, who already pay on average 105p per litre for petrol, will be forced to find extra cash to run their vehicles.

But this blow will be even harsher for car owners in Northern Ireland, where drivers have been paying the highest petrol prices in the UK for the last six months running.

At the start of 2009, petrol was costing around 85p a litre across the UK — that’s a staggering 20p cheaper than today.

However, with world oil prices likely to increase over the coming weeks, there are fears forecourt prices could soon hit 110p a litre.

That would mean drivers having to find an extra £600 a year for their petrol.