DIESEL prices have hit a new high as the RAC claims retailers are taking an average profit of 2p per litre - which is more than before the 5p litre cut was introduced.

Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has written to the industry 'to remind them of their responsibilities' following the claims.

The average price of a litre of diesel at UK fuelling stations was 179.7p as of Monday May 16 - which is an increase of 1.3p from a week earlier.

The average price of petrol on Monday was 165.1p per litre, which falls slightly below the record for the highest petrol price of 165.4p which was set in late March.

Experian Catalist, a data firm which specialises in information and analysis on petrol and retail forecourts, show average prices on Monday were 180.3p per litre for diesel and 166.8p per litre for petrol.

Rishi Sunak revealed a 5p per litre cut in fuel duty in March to help those struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.

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However, the policy seems to have had the opposite effect on fuel as the UK witnesses a continuous increase in prices. The RAC has said retailers are taking an 2p profit per litre on average, which is more than before the cut.

The RAC analysed the average margin for a litre of petrol and diesel is currently 11p and 8p. Whereas, in the month of March, it was 9p for petrol and 6p for diesel.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “While the average price of both petrol and diesel would have been far higher without the historic duty cut, it’s also unfortunately the case that drivers haven’t seen the full benefit at the pumps due to major retailers upping their margins.”

He added that drivers are “feeling never-before-seen pain at the pumps”, which is “contributing to the worsening cost-of-living crisis”.

Where are the best fuel prices?

By using PETROLPRICES app, we correlated the best prices in West and North Cumbria. However, as prices are often changing on a daily or hourly basis, some costs may be out-of-date.

Egremont

  • Applegreen Whitehaven at 161.8p and diesel at 177.8p.
  • NISA Cleator Moor at 161.9p and diesel at 178.9p

Whitehaven

  • Applegreen Whitehaven at 161.8p and diesel at 177.8p.
  • Tesco Whitehaven at 161.9p and diesel at 177.9p

Workington

  • Morrisons Workington at 160.7p and diesel at 177.7p
  • ASDA Workington at 160.7p and diesel at 174.7p

Maryport

  • ASDA Workington at 160.7p and diesel at 174.7p
  • Shell Maryport at 158.9p and diesel at 172.9p

Carlisle

  • ASDA Carlisle Automat at 160.7p and diesel at 174.7p
  • Sainsburys Carlisle at 160.9p and diesel at 176.9p

Brampton

  • Shell Brampton at 164.9p and diesel at 178.9p
  • BP Corby Hill at 163.9p and diesel at 182.9p

Wigton

  • Coppins Garage at 162.9p and diesel at 184.9p
  • BP Wigton at 163.9p and diesel at 182.9p

Penrith

  • BP Scotland Road (Townhead Garage) at 163.9p and diesel at 183.0p
  • Morrisons Penrith at 165.9p and diesel at 182.9p.

You can download PETROLPRICES on the app store.