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Diesel is set to hit an all-time high this week as Labour faces fury over planned fuel duty rises

From the Newshound archive · first published 21 September 2026.

Diesel is closing in on £2 a litre — the highest on record — after the US-Iran conflict pushed global oil costs up by more than 37 per cent.
Diesel is closing in on £2 a litre — the highest on record — after the US-Iran conflict pushed global oil costs up by more than 37 per cent.

Diesel prices are closing in on £2 a litre — the highest on record — after the US-Iran conflict pushed global oil costs up by more than 37 per cent, and RAC Fuel Watch has warned a new peak is likely within days. Howard Cox of Fair Fuel UK told Chancellor John Healey the planned triple fuel duty rise would be "a direct blow to household budgets, people's ability to work and their freedom to drive." Unleaded has already hit 172p a litre, the highest since August 2022, with many forecourts pushing diesel past £2.

Labour's triple whammy includes a 3p-per-litre rise on January 1 and a further 2p rise on March 1.

Fair Fuel UK notes 40 countries have already cut fuel duty in response to the Middle East crisis.

Healey faces his Budget next month with calls to scrap plans drawn up by his predecessor Rachel Reeves before he took over.

MoreDaily Mail NewsRise in fuel duty would cripple families this winter, Labour warnedGB NewsLabour urged to slash fuel duty by 10p a litre as drivers face soaring petrol and diesel priceslondonlovesbusiness.comDiesel set to smash £2 a litre as Lib Dems demand emergency fuel duty cut - londonlovesbusiness.comThe Bolton NewsCalls to cut fuel duty by 10p at least until Christmas
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