RAC data: Record diesel prices hit Scottish islanders more than most
- UK diesel prices have climbed to a record average of 200.01p a litre, pushing the cost of filling an average family car past £110 according to RAC data.
- Adam, a resident of the Outer Hebrides, noted that he never thought he’d look up at a £2.18 diesel price.
- Because haulage companies face diesel expenses that ultimately dictate grocery rates, the household is forced to purchase the most affordable food options available in order to save money.
UK diesel prices have climbed to a record average of 200.01p a litre, pushing the cost of filling an average family car past £110 according to RAC data. Scottish islanders are feeling the pain more than most.
Record Fuel Costs Hammer Remote Island Communities
Adam, a resident of the Outer Hebrides, noted that he never thought he’d look up at a £2.18 diesel price. He averages 15,000 miles a year, and his wife does even more because she’s a health visitor.
Everyone is in it together,
Adam said. Because haulage companies face diesel expenses that ultimately dictate grocery rates, the household is forced to purchase the most affordable food options available in order to save money.
Residents across the islands are being forced to scale back due to the skyrocketing rates, according to 25-year-old Ryan from the Isle of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides.
A lot of family and friends up here are taking fewer journeys than they would normally outside work,
Ryan said, noting that some islanders take jerry cans to the mainland to stock up on fuel, as the price of petrol and diesel is about 20p cheaper in Skye.
Haulage Pressures
Bob says that islanders often have no other choice but to drive, especially when getting to work. Most jobs are in Lerwick so unless you live in town, you need to drive.
Whatever industry you’re in, whatever type of supply chain you’re in with haulage, it will always impact the consumer at the end of it. Once our prices go up, that’s when things start to spiral.
Charlotte Gregory, JR Gregory & Sons
Gregory added that companies are going bump left, right and centre and called for relief. A similar appeal came from Scottish Plant Owners Association president David Jarvie, who pressed the Chancellor of the Exchequer to implement steps—such as a specialized reduction on commercial diesel—to mitigate the effects of soaring fuel expenses.
Widespread Economic Ripple Effects Across Sectors
Driving instructors like Steven Tompkins in Leicester said rising fuel prices mean they are having to increase their prices, which hurts kids who are working part time on a tight budget. Meanwhile, taxi and private hire operators face immediate cash-flow squeezes as fuel costs can equate to 35.4p in fuel for each mile driven at the RAC’s reported average diesel price.
RAC policy head Simon Williams noted that petrol prices are reaching 174.71p a litre on average, leaving the cost of filling a typical petrol car at £96.09. The G7 agreed member countries would not impose export export restrictions on each other after US President Donald Trump threatened to ban shipments of American diesel overseas, though the RAC has linked record pump prices to Middle East conflict and disruption risks around the Strait of Hormuz.