...FUEL FEARS...FUEL FEARS...
CABBIES FACE FINANCIAL CRISIS AS MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT DRIVES FUEL COSTS UP
Taxi and PH drivers are facing a severe financial squeeze as fuel prices climb following the recent outbreak of conflict in the Middle East. According to the RAC, at the time of going to press, average petrol prices have hit c.150p a litre and diesel c.177p since the violence began, leaving many drivers struggling to stay profitable. The NPHTA warns that cabbies have taken “a huge hit” because they are legally unable to raise their prices on the spot. Because local authorities set the fares, drivers must wait through a lengthy bureaucratic process to adjust what they charge. David Lawrie, NPHTA director of, noted that it “could take up to six
months” before fares change because the trade must present a business case to the council, followed by public consultations and committee meetings. Ironically, the rising cost of petrol has actually led to more people calling for taxis. Lawrie explained that “when fuel prices go up, people are often far more likely to stop using their own cars and rely on the taxi industry instead.”
However, this creates a difficult situation for the industry. While drivers are busier than ever, their overhead costs are eating into their earnings. “They don’t realise we need fuel as well,” Lawrie added. The price surge is largely due to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane for 20% of the world’s oil, following US and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. Lawrie also expressed frustration with fuel retailers, stating that “forecourts are putting the prices up before they’ve had a delivery.” This means drivers are watching costs rise daily even on old stock, leaving them with “no choice” but to
absorb the losses for the foreseeable future.
UK DRIVERS FACE POSSIBLE £30 FUEL LIMIT AS MIDDLE EAST TENSIONS RISE
British motorists may soon see a £30 cap on petrol and diesel purchases as the government reviews emergency rationing plans to tackle a potential supply crisis. The move
follows a sharp
escalation in the Middle East conflict, where the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz has threatened a region responsible for a fifth of the world’s oil.
Under the proposed measures, individual stations might limit fuel sales to prevent pumps from running dry during "panic buying or supply shortages." While these caps are typically managed by retailers, the govern- ment is also looking at ensuring
16
priority access for essential services such as the NHS and police. Officials insist the plans are a precaution, but fuel prices have already hit an 18-month high, with diesel climbing to 160.3p per litre. Addressing the uncertainty, Labour MP Dan Tomlinson stated: “At the moment, it is too early to tell what the impact of this crisis will be in the coming months.” He noted that while the government is monitoring the situation carefully, they have already stepped in with £50 million to support those reliant on heating oil. The RAC has urged the govern- ment and the fuel industry to protect regular drivers from unfair
costs. RAC head of policy Simon Williams commented: “Drivers deserve - and should expect - to be treated fairly when it comes to
filling up,
especially with pump prices still heading north. “We therefore hope the meeting between the fuel industry and government on this important issue is productive.” For now, experts recommend using price-comparison tools to find the cheapest local options as global supply chains remain under pressure. Anyone looking to find cheap petrol or diesel in their area can use the Fuel Finder website:
https://www.fuel-finder.uk
APRIL 2026 PHTM
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
