Rising fuel prices could force some drivers to reduce essential journeys, including hospital visits, as the escalating oil price crisis continues to push up costs at the pump, according to new research from campaign group FairFuelUK.

The survey of more than 37,000 motorists found that 11.9 per cent of respondents believe they may have to reduce the frequency of regular hospital treatment or medical visits if petrol and diesel prices continue to rise sharply. Campaigners warn that sustained increases in fuel costs could have serious knock-on effects for both household finances and wider economic activity.

Petrol prices have already risen by nearly 10p per litre on average since the latest oil market turmoil began, while diesel has increased by almost 14p per litre, according to the FairFuelUK Fuel Price Crisis Survey. The increases come amid continued volatility in global energy markets and concerns about disruption to oil supplies.

Drivers responding to the survey indicated that if fuel prices climb by more than 20p per litre on average, many households will begin significantly reducing everyday spending in order to cope with rising transport costs. FairFuelUK warns that such behavioural changes could have wider economic consequences, potentially slowing consumer spending and increasing the risk of recession.

The findings suggest that rising pump prices would quickly feed through into household budgeting decisions. More than 70 per cent of drivers said they would cut back on hobbies, eating out and entertainment if prices increased further, while nearly 60 per cent said they would reduce spending on branded food products.

More than half of respondents said they would switch to filling up at supermarket forecourts in search of cheaper fuel, while just over half indicated they would reduce the size of their regular grocery shop. Around 41 per cent said they would work from home more often to avoid commuting costs, and nearly 38 per cent would consider using public transport more frequently.

However, the research also highlights the potential impact on social and essential travel. Nearly a quarter of motorists said they would cut back on visits to family and friends, while the proportion who indicated they may reduce hospital visits has raised particular concern among campaigners.

Howard Cox, founder of FairFuelUK, said the government should take immediate action to relieve pressure on motorists and prevent rising fuel costs from feeding through into inflation and weaker economic growth.

He argued that cutting fuel duty could help stabilise prices and protect both consumers and businesses from further economic strain.

“Rachel Reeves could calm inflationary pressure and protect the economy from recession by cutting fuel duty now and promising to scrap any increase in this regressive tax in the lifetime of this Parliament,” Cox said.

He added that UK drivers face some of the highest fuel taxes in the world and argued that reducing the burden would help boost consumer spending and lower operating costs for small businesses.

“The world’s highest taxed drivers deserve relief from the high costs of an essential resource, and the economy needs a boost by increasing consumer spending and lowering costs for small businesses,” he said.

Cox also called for wider reforms to fuel pricing, including removing VAT on fuel duty, which campaigners describe as a form of double taxation, and introducing stricter monitoring of pump prices through a strengthened regulatory framework.

The FairFuelUK survey also explored motorists’ perceptions of how fuel retailers have responded to recent wholesale price movements. When asked whether they had observed pump prices rising significantly before wholesale costs increased, 43.1 per cent of respondents said they had noticed increases at their usual forecourt, while more than half said they were unsure.

Among those who believed prices had risen prematurely, 83.7 per cent identified major oil companies including Shell, BP, Esso and Texaco as having the highest pump prices and increasing them on existing fuel stocks.

Supermarket petrol stations were widely perceived as offering the lowest prices overall, although some respondents reported that supermarkets such as Asda and Tesco had implemented some of the fastest price increases.

Campaigners say the findings underline growing concern among motorists about transparency in the fuel supply chain and the speed at which retail prices respond to fluctuations in wholesale costs.

FairFuelUK is urging ministers to introduce what it calls a robust “PumpWatch” system to monitor pricing across the fuel supply chain and impose significant fines if companies are found to be profiteering.

With global energy markets remaining volatile and geopolitical tensions continuing to disrupt oil supplies, motorists and businesses alike are bracing for further uncertainty at the pump in the months ahead.

Jamie Young

Jamie is Senior Reporter at Business Matters, bringing over a decade of experience in UK SME business reporting.
Jamie holds a degree in Business Administration and regularly participates in industry conferences and workshops.

When not reporting on the latest business developments, Jamie is passionate about mentoring up-and-coming journalists and entrepreneurs to inspire the next generation of business leaders.