'Petrol station closed' - How price spikes and fuel shortages are impacting the Fylde coast
Residents across the Fylde coast are, like the rest of the UK, feeling the financial squeeze more than ever, as the cost of living crisis deepens amid steep fuel price hikes caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
Higher fuel prices ripple through the entire economy for one simple reason: energy, especially oil and gas, is a fundamental input in almost everything we produce, move, or consume. As a result, the spike in petrol pump prices causes transport costs to go up, production becomes more expensive, food prices rise, and businesses increase prices to maintain profit margins.
This week, a number of petrol station forecourts in Blackpool were either fully or partially closed as a result of fuel shortages. A sign outside on a Tesco petrol station forecourt in Blackpool read: “Sorry. No diesel fuel available.” Cars still appeared to be queueing for unleaded petrol at the site, however.
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At Sainsbury’s in the town centre, the entire petrol station was closed off to the public, with a sign having been put out reading: “Petrol station closed.” No other explanation was offered.
Most expensive in 6 years
Diesel prices have reached their most expensive level since December 2022 with oil prices having soared in response to Iran’s stranglehold on tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
The RAC said the average price of a litre of the fuel at UK forecourts on Monday was 181.2p. That represents a 27% increase from 142.4p on February 28, the day the war in the Middle East began. Average petrol prices have reached 152.0p per litre, a rise of 14% from 132.8p over the same period.
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What’s more, the price difference between diesel and petrol has reached the highest level since at least 2003 as the Iran oil crisis deepens, new figures show. UK oil refineries are more geared towards producing petrol than diesel, so the country’s supply of the latter is more reliant on imports.
White van man is bleeding cash
Latest DVLA figures show there were 16.2 million diesel vehicles licensed in the UK as of the end of September last year. This included the vast majority of light goods vehicles, such as vans.
Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: “Diesel is the lifeblood of millions of small businesses, but today white van man is bleeding cash just to stay on the road.
“Whether you drive or not, soaring diesel prices will take money out of your pocket, either at the pump or in the bills you pay for everything from calling out the plumber to getting a home delivery.
“If oil prices remain at this level the impact on the forecourt could be felt for weeks, if not months. That’s bad news for everyone, not just drivers of the UK’s 4.6 million diesel vans, the majority of which will be used for work purposes.”
What are local MPs saying?
Cat Smith, Labour MP for Lancaster and Wyre, said: “Families and businesses across the Fylde coast and Wyre are understandably worried about rising fuel costs and the disruption we’ve seen at some forecourts in recent days.
"The Government is right to urge people not to panic buy and to improve transparency through the Fuel Finder scheme, and targeted support for households off the gas grid is important.
“However, it’s clear that more needs to be done to provide reassurance and stability. That means working closely with industry to maintain reliable fuel supplies, ensuring fair pricing at the pump, and continuing to support households with the cost of living during what is an uncertain period globally.
“Above all, people want to know that there is a clear plan in place to protect them, both in the short term as pressures persist, and in the longer term as Labour strengthens our energy security and reduces our exposure to international shocks.”
Lorraine Beavers, Labour MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood, said: "Although Keir Starmer was right to stay out of the conflict with Iran, the impacts will be felt globally."I feel the Government is doing what it can to protect the people of this country from the shocks.
"The Fuel Finder Scheme, to help people to locate the cheapest fuel, is revolutionary and the Government has pledged around £50 million to help households with the rising cost of heating oil.
"I do feel sorry for the smaller petrol suppliers, it will be much harder for them to obtain petrol and diesel than the big supermarkets. "The repercussions of this war will be felt for a while yet but we need stay calm and not try and panic buy - that won't help."
What has the Government said?
Downing Street has insisted forecourts are “well-stocked nationally” amid reports of pumps running dry in some locations. Asked whether the Government was planning for any shortages, the Prime Minister’s spokesman replied: “We’ll always plan for all eventualities.
“Fuel production and imports are continuing,” he added. “The UK benefits from diverse and resilient supply. Petrol stations in the UK are well-stocked nationally and any suggestion otherwise is incorrect.”
Sir Keir Starmer has warned that, while the Iran war will “affect the future of our country”, the UK is “well-placed” to weather the storm, with the Prime Minister reassuring Britons that there would be a “long-term plan” in place to emerge a “stronger and more secure nation”.
Sir Keir also said he was not prepared to let the British people relive the energy shocks of the 1970s. “I know that this is causing huge concern,” he said. “People turn on their televisions, they look at their screens, they see explosions, infrastructure blown up, aggressive rhetoric.
“They worry that the UK will be dragged into this. We won’t.”