Scottish business leaders are calling on the UK Government to scrap a planned 5p fuel duty rise after diesel prices reached record levels.
The average UK diesel price rose to 199.3p a litre on Sunday, surpassing the previous record of 199.09p, while prices have already exceeded £2 at more than 220 filling stations in Scotland and reached as high as 238.8p in some island communities.
Further increases are feared if President Trump imposes a ban on US diesel exports, with the UK a net importer and the US its biggest supplier, while emergency diesel stocks have reportedly fallen to 42 days following refinery closures including Grangemouth.
Colin Borland, Scotland director of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Today’s record high diesel prices aren’t just a blow to tens of thousands of small businesses across Scotland, they are a drag on the whole economy.”
He added: “It’s vital that the UK government keeps a lid on fuel duty so that prices are not pushed up any higher while they remain at such inflated levels.”
Fuel duty, currently 52.95p per litre, had been due to rise by 5p in May before the increase was delayed until the end of the year, with pressure now growing on Chancellor John Healey to abandon the increase altogether.
The UK Government said: “We have a diverse and resilient supply. We continue to engage with our international partners and the UK fuel industry.”