Diesel crosses £2 a litre as UK's biggest refinery shuts and rationing plans emerge

From the Newshound archive · first published 29 September 2026 · last updated 30 September 2026.

Diesel has hit a record 200.03p a litre on the Government's own Fuel Finder site, with the RAC confirming the national average has smashed through the £2 threshold for the first time — and the crisis is deepening fast. The UK's biggest refinery has now shut for ten weeks, stoking fears of genuine supply shortages, with the government's emergency rationing plan — which would prioritise emergency services and critical vehicles over ordinary drivers — edging closer to activation. Andy Burnham dodged questions on whether a January fuel duty rise from 53p to 56p per litre will be cancelled, saying only he is 'considering everything'. The nation is reported to have under 40 days of diesel supply remaining.

The RAC Foundation warns 86p of every litre already goes 'straight to the Chancellor' in duty and VAT, with experts warning prices could hit £3 if Trump bans US diesel exports.

Experts warn of 'real global competition' for available supplies, with former BP executive Nick Butler saying shortages will bite hard this winter.

A family filling a typical 55-litre diesel car now pays £110 a tank — £340 more than in early July, when the US-Iran war had yet to fully grip fuel markets.