Motoring groups welcomed Jeremy Hunt’s decision to freeze fuel duty this month - but fear drivers have not fully benefited from the cut.

The Chancellor confirmed in his Budget at the start of the month that the 5p per litre cut implemented in March 2022 will be retained for another 12 months, and fuel duty will not increase in line with inflation.

This will save the average car driver £50 next year and bring “total savings since the 5p cut was introduced to around £250”, Mr Hunt said.

When the fuel duty cut was first announced, it was expected to save car drivers £100 annually.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “With a general election near, it would have been a huge surprise for the Chancellor to tamper with the political hot potato that is fuel duty.

“But, while it’s good news that fuel duty has been kept low, it’s unlikely drivers will be breathing a collective sigh of relief as we don’t believe they’ve fully benefited from the cut that was introduced just two years ago due to retailers upping margins to cover their ‘increased costs’.”

As the RAC Foundation says fuel prices have been "creeping back up" over the past couple of months, and to help you save some pennies, here are the cheapest  - and most expensive - petrol stations to fill up your car, according to PetrolPrices.com *:

Cheapest unleaded prices across south Essex:

  1. Costco West Thurrock - 134.9p

  2.  Jet Rochford - 

    138.7p

  3. Asda Tilbury - 139.7p

  4. Tesco Southend Extra - 139.9p

  5. Sainsbury's Rayleigh Weir - 

    139.9p

Cheapest diesel prices across south Essex:

  1. Costco West Thurrock - 144.9p
  2. Jet Rochford - 149.7p
  3. Asda Tilbury - 149.7p
  4. Jet Stanford-le-Hope - 149.9p
  5. Asda Basildon Eastgate - 150.7p

Highest unleaded prices across south Essex:

  1. Esso North Road, South Ockendon - 142.9p
  2.  Tesco (Basildon and Pitsea) - 142.9p
  3. Sainsbury's East Mayne - 142.9p
  4. BP Rochford - 142.9p
  5. Esso Somnes Avenue, Canvey - 142.9p

 

 

Highest diesel prices across south Essex:

  1. Tesco Lakeside Extra - 151.9p
  2. Esso London Road, Stanford-le-Hope - 151.9p
  3. Esso Church Road, Corringham - 151.9p
  4. Esso High Street, Canvey - 151.9p
  5. Sainsbury's Rayleigh Weir - 151.9p
  6. Morrisons Canvey - 151.9p

* These prices are correct as of March 24, 2024