Diesel Prices Soar, Threatening Small Businesses

0:00On March 30, diesel prices have hit a 20-year high gap over petrol, jumping to 29 pence more per liter at 181 pence, compared to 152 pence. This spike ties straight to the Iran oil crisis tightening supplies through key shipping routes. White band drivers and hollage companies are getting hammered, bleeding cash just to keep rolling. Earlier this week, data from the Rack Foundation confirmed it's the widest fuel spread since at least 2003. The UK leans heavy on diesel imports, so costs doubled up faster than petrol, pushing pump prices to 28-month peaks for everyone. Drivers fill it hard, filling an average family car, now costs 10 pounds more on petrol and 20 pounds extra on diesel since late February. With 16.2 million diesel vehicles on roads, mostly vans and lorries for work, everyday services like plumbers and deliveries are passing. Those pains to customers, hiking bills for groceries and repairs.

1:00Experts from the Rack and AA are sounding alarms, saying small businesses and self-employed trades face collapse with over a third of sole traders already on the brink. They're pushing Chancellor Rachel Reeves to slash fuel taxes, especially since higher prices mean extra vac cash rolling into government coffers. Meanwhile, ministers plan a 5 pence per liter fuel duty hike this September, adding 3 pounds to fill ups, even as oil stays volatile. This pressure on wallets won't fade quick, rippling through costs for months if tensions