Middle East conflict is 'dreadful' for fuel prices

A petrol station owner has described rising fuel prices in light of the ongoing Middle East conflict as "dreadful".

Leza Stephensen, manager at the Tolladine Service Station in Worcester, said in less than a week her fuel orders had risen by 8p per litre.

It comes after Iran launched attacks on Gulf states as part of its retaliation following US and Israeli strikes that began early on Saturday.

Iran has also warned vessels not to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway in the south of the country through which about 20% of the world's oil and gas is shipped.

Stephensen said: "I placed an order last Thursday and between then and yesterday morning's delivery it's gone up by 5p per litre on my price.

"Not only that, it's now gone up another 3p overnight."

The service station manager explained that suppliers were entitled to increase prices even after stock had been ordered due to the "fluctuation in fuel prices".

"It's just something we have to live with."

Tolladine Service Station is currently selling unleaded fuel for 134.9p per litre and diesel for 144.9p per litre, but Stephensen said she would need to increase her prices.

She said she would first be waiting to see "what happens locally" but warned the price rise on her order, coupled with VAT, would mean motorists could be looking at a rise of 10p per litre.

She said she did not have a clue what prices would be by the next time she ordered fuel.

"It's dreadful. I promise I'm not making any more than I was last week on it and I need to put it up, I do need to put it up at the moment.".

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