Are petrol and diesel prices going up?
Petrol cost 20.2% higher than a year earlier in August 2026 and diesel 27.8% higher (ONS, average across the country).
August 2026, on a year earlier.
August 2026, on a year earlier.
Petrol, diesel and other fuels, as a share of what a typical household spends in the price index.
2025-26: about £353 for each person in the UK.
Petrol and diesel over time
What’s this?
How much higher petrol prices are than a year earlier.
What it cannot tell you: It is an average across the country and across stations; the price where you fill up can differ.
What’s this?
How much higher diesel prices are than a year earlier.
What it cannot tell you: It is an average across the country and across stations; the price where you fill up can differ.
Month by month
| Month | Petrol, on a year earlier | Diesel, on a year earlier |
|---|---|---|
| August 2026 | +20.2% | +27.8% |
| July 2026 | +13.7% | +18.5% |
| June 2026 | +17.7% | +27.4% |
| May 2026 | +18.9% | +34.6% |
| April 2026 | +16.6% | +34.1% |
| March 2026 | +2.0% | +9.6% |
| February 2026 | -5.4% | -3.6% |
| January 2026 | -2.8% | -1.1% |
| December 2025 | +0.0% | +2.2% |
| November 2025 | +0.2% | +2.4% |
| October 2025 | +0.5% | +2.8% |
| September 2025 | -2.1% | +0.0% |
What the government raises from fuel duty
Fuel duty is a tax charged on each litre of petrol and diesel, whatever the pump price.
| Financial year | Fuel duty receipts |
|---|---|
| 2025-26 | £24.6bn |
| 2024-25 | £24.4bn |
| 2023-24 | £24.9bn |
HMRC receipts, cash terms, not adjusted for prices. All taxes →
Questions people ask
Are petrol and diesel prices going up?
Petrol was +20.2% and diesel +27.8% compared with a year earlier in August 2026. A positive number means prices are higher than a year ago.
When did petrol and diesel prices rise fastest?
Petrol peaked in July 2022 at +42.9% on a year earlier and diesel in July 2022 at +46.1%.
Why do pump prices change?
The price is built from the cost of crude oil and refining, a fixed fuel duty per litre, retailers’ margins and VAT on top of everything. When oil prices or the pound change, pump prices usually follow within weeks.
How much does the government raise from fuel?
Fuel duty raised £24.6 billion in 2025-26, about £353 for every person in the UK, from HMRC receipts. It is one of the five big taxes shown on the tax receipts page.
Sources: ONS Consumer Prices Index (petrol and diesel, series L7R5 and L7R4); HMRC tax receipts. Updated every night.
See also: Energy · Inflation · Tax receipts · Home energy prices