UK drivers are facing fresh pain at the pumps as average petrol prices have broken the 150p-a-litre barrier for the first time in nearly two years. The surge, driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East, has prompted the head of Asda to fiercely defend fuel retailers against accusations of price gouging.
Allan Leighton, the executive chairman of the supermarket giant, pushed back strongly against claims that forecourts are unfairly inflating prices. Instead, he fired a volley back at government ministers, accusing them of deflecting blame. Leighton pointed out that the government itself is raking in increased VAT revenue from the inflated pump prices, stating that any allegations of retailer profiteering hold "no credibility."
"The government is getting a lot of money off the back of this," Leighton argued. "I think the government needs to look at what it is doing instead of pointing the finger at everybody else."
The financial impact on motorists is stark. According to the RAC, a typical family car now costs over £82 to fill with unleaded—a £9.50 jump in just one month. Diesel drivers have been hit even harder, with average prices topping 177p a litre, adding £19 to a full tank, bringing the total to over £97.
This latest price spike follows recent military action by the US and Israel against Iran. While President Trump recently announced a delay in further strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure until at least April 6, global oil markets remain highly volatile. Brent Crude recently breached the $110-a-barrel mark, heavily influenced by traders' fears of severe supply disruptions.
The geopolitical instability has triggered heavy demand in certain areas, leading to isolated instances of dry pumps. However, Leighton assured customers that Asda, the UK's second-largest fuel retailer, hasn't closed any forecourts and is actively managing the tight supply. The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) echoed this reassurance, confirming that national supply chains remain stable and urging the public to maintain normal buying habits.
The pricing debate has soured the relationship between retailers and the government. Ministers have vowed to crack down on businesses attempting to "rip off" consumers, prompting the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to escalate its industry monitoring. Leighton rebutted this by noting that Asda's profit margins have actually shrunk during this crisis, suggesting that "you don't have to be Einstein" to realize that cashing in is impossible under current wholesale market conditions.
With the four-day Easter weekend approaching, the RAC is warning of an expensive holiday getaway. Simon Williams, the RAC's head of policy, labeled the 150p threshold an "unwelcome milestone," noting that unleaded is now 17p more expensive per litre than before the conflict erupted. Drivers are being advised to plan their journeys carefully and utilize price-comparison apps to soften the blow at the till.