Petrol prices at record high

Fuel prices at the pumps have reached new record highs (PA)

Fuel prices at the pumps have reached new record highs, with diesel passing the 140p a litre mark for the first time, the AA said today.

The average cost of petrol is now 133.46p a litre, with diesel at 140.01p a litre.

The figures come the day before Chancellor George Osborne is expected to announce in the Budget that he is scrapping the planned April rise in fuel duty.

Drivers were paying 116.71p a litre for petrol and 117.42p for diesel a year ago. By the start of this year, prices had climbed to 125.19p a litre for petrol and 129.30p for diesel.

AA president Edmund King said: "A 10p rise in the pump price of diesel since the start of the year, equivalent to an extra £5 for even the smallest of tanks, is a staggering extra burden on private and business drivers.

"Millions are desperate for the Chancellor to provide some relief through shelving the fuel duty increase scheduled for April 1.

"What clearer signal does the Chancellor need that action is needed now. Today's record fuel prices say it all."