RAC fuel watch data revealed that the latest UK average diesel price stands at 180.29p a litre while unleaded stands at 166.65 a litre.

This is the highest ever diesel price, though the record unleaded price was recorded in March 2022 when it stood at 167.03p a litre.

However, petrol has risen by nearly 3p a litre since the start of the month and it’s less than a penny away from its all-time high set on 22 March.

The RAC said the price rises come despite the government’s 5p a litre fuel duty cut announced in the March spring statement.

Simon Williams, said: “Efforts to move away from importing Russian diesel have led to a tightening of supply and pushed up the price retailers pay for diesel. While the wholesale price has eased in the last few days this is likely to be temporary, especially if the EU agrees to ban imports of Russian oil.

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“Unfortunately, drivers with diesel vehicles need to brace themselves for yet more pain at the pumps. Had Sunak reduced VAT to 15% as we called on him to do instead of cutting duty by 5p, drivers of diesel vehicles would be around 2p a litre better off, or £1 for every full tank. As it is, drivers are still paying 27p VAT on petrol and 29p on diesel, which is just the same as before the spring statement.”