New pump misery for motorists

Petrol prices are edging closer to a record high as motorists are hit with a 1p a litre fuel duty increase.

The rise takes prices from an average of 117.8p a litre to just under 119p, almost up to the record of 119.7p reached in 2008.

The pain could have been even greater for road users if Chancellor Alistair Darling had not decided to introduce the near-3p fuel duty rise, scheduled for April 1, in three stages.

Drivers will now pay an extra 1p from today, a further 1p in October and another 0.76p next January.

The fuel duty rise will mean that petrol has risen by 11p a litre since the start of the year. The RAC said this equated to around £121 extra in fuel costs for the average car.

RAC motoring strategist Adrian Tink said: "Worryingly, it's now a case of when, rather than if, the record petrol prices will be broken. The Chancellor had the opportunity to give motorists a bit of respite but has only staggered the pain rather than ease it."

Motorists will also be hit by the "showroom tax" which will mean those buying the most-polluting new models will have to pay higher vehicle excise duty (VED) for the first year.

Those purchasing cars that emit more than 255g of CO2 per one kilometre will have to pay VED of £950 for the first year. At the top-polluting end of the market, this equates to an increase of £545.