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Motorists have been hit by further prices rises at the pump, with experts predicting the impact of the Iran war could be felt for months.
The conflict in the Gulf has seen Iran continue its stranglehold on tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, leading to soaring oil prices with the cost of a barrel rising more than 3 per cent on Monday to $117.
Despite UK ministers insisiting there is no need for fuel rationing, over the weekend the boss of Asda warned of a temporary shortage at the pumps at the same time data reavealed spending on fuel jumped 11 per cent in the week after the war started.
Now latest data from the RAC shows the average price of a litre of diesel at UK forecourts has risen to 179.9p on Sunday, 28.5p more than petrol (151.4p), with the price difference at its highest level since at least 2003.
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “If oil prices remain at this level the impact on the forecourt could be felt for weeks, if not months.”
On Monday, Sir Keir Starmer launched Labour’s local election campaign launch, warning that the backdrop to the elections was “uncertain”. Later, he will meet energy bosses in Downing Street to discuss emergency measures in response to the Middle East crisis.
Diesel price hits highest level since December 2022
Diesel prices have reached their most expensive level since December 2022, new figures show, as the Iran oil crisis escalates.
The RAC said the average price of a litre of the fuel at UK forecourts on Monday was 181.2p.
That represents a 27% increase from 142.4p on February 28, the day the war in the Middle East began.
Average petrol prices have reached 152.0p per litre, a rise of 14% from 132.8p over the same period.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “Compared to the start of the Iran conflict, it costs £10.55 more to fill up a typical family car that runs on petrol, and £21.35 more for a comparative diesel car.
“The financial strain on the eight in 10 motorists that tell us they depend on their cars continues to build, and at a particularly rapid rate for those who drive diesel vehicles.”
Alex Ross30 March 2026 14:14
Fears over fuel shortages unlikely to put off car trips this Easter, say AA
The AA is predicting that more than 20 million road journeys will be made on the busiest days this Easter, despite the onging crisis in the Middle East, which is impacting fuel prices.
With the price of unleaded petrol passing 150p, the cost of driving has increased compared to a year ago.
However, the AA says this Easter will be one of the busiest for road traffic.
Lee Morley, AA expert patrol, said: “After what feels like a very long, wet winter, lots of families are looking forward to the Easter break.
“With more than 20 million journeys expected on the busiest days, it’s shaping up to be one of the busiest Easters on the roads in recent years.”
Alex Ross30 March 2026 13:45
The cheapest supermarket petrol prices
As motorists face ongoing hikes at the petrol pumps, RAC has compiled a list of the prices charged at major supermarkets.
Latest supermarket petrol prices (RAC)
Alex Ross30 March 2026 13:30
British troops will not join any ground invasion of Iran, Starmer says
Sir Keir Starmer has ruled out putting British troops on the ground in Iran, as he insisted the UK will not be “dragged in” to Donald Trump’s escalating war in the region.
The US sparked fears over the weekend that it is preparing launch ground operations in Iran, as fighting between Tehran and Washington continues into its second month.
The prime minister has faced criticism from both allies and enemies over his approach to the conflict, but doubled down on his position on Monday when asked if British troops could be sent to the Middle East.
Alex Ross30 March 2026 13:15
Trump issues new warning to Iran
US president Donald Trump has issued another warning to Iran on Monday to open the Strait of Hormuz or risk U.S attacks on its oil wells and power plants.
“Great progress has been made but, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately ‘Open for Business,’ we will conclude our lovely ‘stay’ in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island,” Mr Trump wrote in a social media post.
(Getty Images)
Alex Ross30 March 2026 13:00
UK being updated by US ‘at every level’ on Iran operation
The UK is in discussions with the US over its campaign against Iran at “every level”, the government has said.
On Monday, US president Donald Trump said that seizing Iran’s Kharg Island, the country’s main oil terminal in the Perisan Gulf, was on the table as he looks to end the war in the region that is impacting markets around the world.
Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesperson said: “Of course we’re in discussions with the US at every level, you’ve seen updates from the Prime Minister’s conversations with the president, likewise with the Foreign Secretary’s counterpart, and likewise with the Chancellor and Energy Secretary’s counterparts, as well as joining various multilateral calls.
“Of course we’re engaging at every level to ensure that we’re protecting British national interests.”
The Downing Street spokesperson also said the UK would not provide an ongoing narrative on the US operation.
He said: “It’s not for me to provide running commentary on our allies’ operations.
“We will continue to focus, as the Prime Minister has done, on British national interests, protecting people in the region, doing what we can to protect households from the impact here in the UK, and working with international allies.”
Alex Ross30 March 2026 12:46
UK not facing a petrol shortage, Downing Street claims
Petrol stations are “well-stocked nationally and any suggestion otherwise is incorrect”, according to Downing Street.
Asked whether the government was planning for any shortages, Sir Keir Starmer’s spokesman replied: “We’ll always plan for all eventualities.”
He added: “To be very clear, as the PM (Sir Keir Starmer) has said and as the government have said, and indeed industry have said, fuel production and imports are continuing.
“The UK benefits from diverse and resilient supply.
“Petrol stations in the UK are well-stocked nationally and any suggestion otherwise is incorrect.”
Alex Ross30 March 2026 12:32
Plaid Cymru leader urges voters to ‘choose hope over division’
The leader of Plaid Cymru has urged voters to “choose hope over division” as he launched his party’s bid to end three decades of Labour rule in Wales.
Rhun ap Iorwerth is hoping to form the first non-Labour led government in Cardiff Bay since devolution in 1999.
An MRP poll published last week, conducted by YouGov for ITV Cymru Wales, suggested Plaid Cymru remains on course to be the biggest party in May, with Reform the second largest and Labour third.
Mr ap Iorwerth, a former BBC journalist, also launched Plaid’s key election pledges, which include cutting NHS waiting lists and speeding up treatment times, helping families with £30,000 worth of free childcare, improving educational standards and tackling child poverty.
“We will stand up for Wales to get a fair deal from Westminster,” he told supporters at the campaign launch at Bedwas Workmen’s Hall & Institute in Caerphilly.
Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth (Ben Birchall/PA) (PA Wire)
Alex Ross30 March 2026 12:15
British troops will not be sent to Iran, says Sir Keir
Sir Keir Starmer has insisted British boots will not be placed on the ground in Iran.
Asked if he was considering deploying UK armed forces as the US musters its troops in the Middle East, Sir Keir told broadcasters: “This is not our war and we’re not going to get drawn into it.
“What we have done is taken defensive action: so we’ve had our pilots up in the air since an hour or two after this war started, defending British lives, British interests and, of course, our allies in the region.”
The UK will continue to defend its interests and allies, and work to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Sir Keir said.
“But we are not going to get dragged into this war,” he added.
Yvette Cooper meeting soldiers during her visit to a British military base in Saudi Arabia earlier this month (Stefan Rousseau/PA) (PA Wire)
Alex Ross30 March 2026 12:00
Starmer to chair Cobra meeting following meeting with energy bosses
The prime minister is set to chair another Cobra meeting looking at the economic impacts of the Iran war this week, following a roundtable with energy bosses this afternoon.
Sir Keir Starmer will chair a Cobra meeting on Tuesday as the government grapples with the fallout of Donald Trump’s war in the Middle East, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Asked about Monday’s meeting, Sir Keir said: “We are bringing together the shipping sector, insurance and energy, because obviously that’s a focus of concern.“A lot of discussion about the Strait of Hormuz and what we can do to get the straits open, which is the single most effective way to bring energy prices down.
He added: “I will have a Cobra tomorrow, another Cobra, to look at the economic impacts of the war and making sure that everything that we need to have in place, everything is monitored and audited properly.”
Athena Stavrou30 March 2026 11:47