The average price of petrol has increased by 7p per litre (ppl) in the past week, with diesel increasing by 4.5ppl, according to the RAC.

Record pump prices were set again yesterday (Thursday, June 9), with petrol hitting, on average, 183.16ppl and diesel reaching 188.82ppl.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “Another day and another round of fuel price records with both petrol and diesel up by a penny in 24 hours.

“Unbelievably, the average cost of a litre of petrol has gone up by more than 7p in just a week to 183.16p and diesel by 4.5p to 188.82p.”

The average cost of a litre of diesel at motorway services passed the £2 mark for the first time ever (200.99p). Petrol at the motorway is also at another record of 197.18p.

The latest increases come a day after both the RAC and the AA called for urgent action from the Chancellor to cut duty or VAT on fuel. 

The AA has called on the Government to cut fuel duty by 10ppl immediately and introduce a fuel price stabiliser.

A stabiliser would work, it says, by reducing fuel duty when prices go up and increasing it when prices drop, giving more certainty to drivers and businesses. 

Alongside this, the AA wants the Government to introduce a national fuel price checker to stop the post-code lottery when it comes to fuel prices.

Such a system works well in Northern Ireland, according to the AA, where on average both petrol and diesel 6p per litre cheaper than in the rest of the UK.

Williams said: “It’s becoming clearer by the day that the Government must take further action to reduce the enormous financial burden on drivers. But based on statements given yesterday it seems fixated on ensuring retailers are passing on March’s 5p duty cut fully.

“In doing so, the Government is ignoring the fact that wholesale costs of fuel have absolutely rocketed since then with petrol having gone up 24%, or around 30p per litre, and it’s these higher costs that are driving the current increases at the pumps.”

Williams concluded: The Government needs to recognise that the 5p duty cut is therefore a drop in the ocean and more needs to be done now to support drivers who are feeling the pain every time they go to fill up their cars.

“It should also not be forgotten that as fuel prices continue to rise, so does the amount the Government makes in VAT.

“The 5p the Chancellor gave away in his duty cut in March has already been replaced by the 5p extra he is now making in extra VAT following the invasion of Ukraine just a month earlier.

“A temporary cut in VAT on fuel, or a deeper duty cut, are surely what is needed now.”