UK transport sector threatens service cuts as diesel prices top £2 per litre
Coach operators and haulage firms warn that record diesel costs could force reductions in services, including school transport.
UK coach operators and haulage firms report that diesel prices have surged past £2 a litre due to the US-Israeli war on Iran and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, straining already thin margins. Alison Edwards of the Confederation of Passenger Transport warned that without urgent intervention, services such as school transport may be reduced and many family-run operators could collapse. The Road Haulage Association’s Richard Smith said the sector operates on about 2% profit and that the extra £350 per one outlet to fill a lorry is unsustainable, urging the government to scrap planned fuel duty hikes and introduce a diesel rebate similar to those in Spain, France and Italy.
Meanwhile, Unite says over 160 offshore oil workers at Apache may strike, risking disruption to the Forties pipeline. Economists stress that reliable, affordable energy is crucial for manufacturers and call for removal of electricity policy levies.
Why it matters
Rising fuel costs threaten vital transport services and could ripple through the economy, affecting schools, businesses and energy security.
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