Fresh blow to hard-pressed Brit motorists as cost of petrol and diesel soars since Christmas

MOTORISTS are being squeezed at the pumps as freezing temperatures, oil price rises and a weak Pound drive up costs.

The wholesale cost of petrol has shot up by 3p a litre since Christmas, the AA says, while diesel’s spiked by 5p.

The average UK unleaded price was 137.2p a litre at the weekend.

Filling up could cost an extra £1.65 for petrol tanks and £2.75 for diesel.

AA fuel spokesman Luke Bosdet said: “Freezing temperatures and rising pump prices are a bad start to 2025 for drivers.

“Their vehicles are consuming more fuel due to engines having to work harder in winter conditions and any weakness in the pound won’t help because oil and fuel commodities are traded in dollars'”

Mr Bosdet also slammed greedy fuel firms for slapping an extra 2p per litre on petrol in December even though wholesale prices had not budged since October.

He warned: “We will be watching carefully to see the extent the fuel trade takes advantage of upward costs.”

AA analysis shows drivers in the South East are feeling the pinch the most.

The Sun’s Keep It Down campaign with FairFuelUK has helped keep fuel duty frozen for over a decade.

Without it, petrol would average 143.2p a litre.

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