Petrol prices fall after 33 days of rises, drivers still “at the mercy of global events”

UK petrol prices have started to fall after rising for 33 consecutive days, according to the RAC.

The average price of unleaded reached 161.66p per litre at the weekend before falling slightly to 161.46p on 12th August.

Petrol has risen by almost 29p per litre since 28th February, when the average stood at 132.83p, representing an increase of 21.6%.

Diesel prices have also stopped rising for now, having climbed around 17p since 9th July. The average stood at 181.84p per litre on 12th August, compared with 164.52p on 9th July.

Diesel remains almost 10p below the 191.54p peak recorded on 15th April.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “The price of petrol appears to have finally reached an Iran War peak, having risen 11p over 33 consecutive days.

“A litre of unleaded hit a high of 161.66p at the weekend and has now reduced very slightly to an average of 161.46p.

“Diesel, which has rocketed 17p since 9 July, has also stopped going up for now, having reached 182p (181.92p). Fortunately, this is still almost 10p below its conflict high of 191.54p.