A sharp escalation in global oil prices triggered by military conflicts in the Middle East has pushed British forecourt fuel costs to multi-month highs on July 28, 2026, creating an immediate hurdle for newly appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Official government statistics and industry tracking indicate petrol prices jumped to 157.81p per liter while average diesel prices rose to 175.71p per liter over the weekend.
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The increases follow the end of a ceasefire in Iran and military action along the Strait of Hormuz, which briefly drove Brent crude above $100 per barrel.
Industry experts warn that wholesale pressure will push petrol to 160p per liter and diesel toward 180p per liter within days.
Since early July, filling a typical petrol vehicle has become £3.50 more expensive, while diesel drivers face an additional £5 per tank.
The rapid escalation also coincides with a heavy summer travel week, with the AA estimating that 20.7 million holiday road trips will add £2 million to total driver costs.
Motoring organizations warned that drivers should prepare for sustained financial pressure on forecourts across the country.
RAC and AA Warn of Further Increases
"Pump prices continued their inevitable rise over the weekend, with unleaded up another 0.6p to an average of 157.81p and diesel a penny to 175.71p," said Simon Williams, Head of Policy at the RAC.
Williams noted that global crude volatility directly undermines recent forecourt stability.
"It looks highly likely now that petrol will hit 160p a litre - its highest level since the United States/Iran conflict began - and diesel 180p by the end of this week, off the back of an elevated oil price," said Williams.
