Drivers in the West Midlands rethink spending as fuel prices climb

Soaring fuel prices are forcing motorists to cut back on everyday spending and adding tens of thousands of pounds a week to business costs, with petrol at its highest level since November 2022.

Drivers say they are changing their spending habits to cope with rising costs at the pump, while businesses warn higher fuel bills are placing increasing pressure on their finances.

Petrol prices rose to an average of 161.3p per litre between July and August, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the highest level recorded since November 2022, when Russia’s invasion of Ukraine pushed up global energy costs.

Diesel is also expected to top £2 per litre in the coming days.

Among those feeling the impact is Arvander Pabla in Willenhall, in the West Midlands, who drives a lot every day and says rising fuel costs have forced him to make cutbacks elsewhere.

“I do nearly 70, 75 miles per day, and it has really affected me price wise, because it has nearly gone double,” he said.

To create more room in his budget for fuel, he said he had reduced spending on takeaways and eating out, and was considering replacing his car with a more fuel-efficient vehicle.