Fears diesel could be rationed as price of fuel hits record high

Fears diesel could be rationed as price of fuel hits record high Nick Butler, who spent 29 years at BP before leaving the company in 2006, said rising prices could see restrictions introduced to ensure vital services such as the NHS have enough supplies Fears of diesel rationing have been raised after a former BP executive said drivers could face “restraints” on filling up their vehicles this winter. Diesel prices hit a record 199.53p per litre on Tuesday, according to the RAC. Nick Butler, who spent 29 years at BP before leaving the company in 2006, said rising prices could see restrictions introduced to ensure vital services such as the NHS have enough supplies. Mr Butler said: “I could well see there are restraints being put in place over this winter on the use of diesel.” When asked if this would mean rationing for drivers, he added: “Yes, yes… if there’s a shortage, and if you have to protect key sectors, then there’s less for everyone else.” Petrol was last officially rationed in the UK in 1957. The country experienced widespread petrol station closures and shortages in 2021 as drivers panic bought fuel, though no Government restrictions were introduced. It comes as Andy Burnham remains under pressure to scrap a planned fuel duty rise in the new year. Fuel duty is due to rise by 3p in January, then by another 2p in March, reversing a previous 5p cut that has been in place since March 2022. The Prime Minister told BBC Breakfast he is looking at “every possible measure” to ease the cost of driving. Asked whether he would halt the change, Mr Burnham said: “I’m considering everything that might help people in very difficult times and I will be honest and say every possible measure is being looked at. “The question I’ve got is: ‘How many can I afford? What can we do given the state of the public finances?’” On the BBC’s Today programme, asked whether the country was in an energy crisis that could last for months, he said: “I don’t think that is an overstatement, to be honest. “When I look at the prices at the pump at this moment in time, if we include diesel and petrol within that, this is very challenging, isn’t it, for people who are filling up today? “When we look at energy prices in the home, difficult too.” He said he was “doing what I can” but “it is very difficult indeed, and it’s why the Middle East situation needs to command a lot of our attention”. RAC head of policy Simon Williams earlier this week said “the cost of filling up an average family car is now almost £110”. This was £31 more than it was at the start of the US-Iran war, at the end of February, he said. He added: "The UK might have limited leverage when it comes to ending the US-Iran war and ultimately bringing oil prices down, but the Government could take steps to ease the burden on drivers by lowering fuel duty further or reducing VAT."