Is a gas station drama about to go down? With whispers of a potential US diesel export ban floating around, the government is stepping in to keep the vibes chill. Transport Minister Keir Mather hopped on ITV’s Good Morning Britain today to tell everyone to relax, saying the UK’s fuel supply is "inherently resilient."
The current situation
Real talk: people are lowkey worried, especially since the average price of a liter of diesel just hit a record-breaking 199.72p. While the UK does rely on the US for about 30% of its diesel, Mather insists we have plenty of other sources to keep things moving. The government is already in talks with European partners about potentially releasing emergency stockpiles, which can cover the country for 42 days.
To make matters a bit more complex, the UK’s largest refinery, Fawley, is shutting down for 10 weeks for maintenance. Plus, there are only four refineries left in the UK compared to 18 back in the 80s, which is a major L.
Why it matters
Even though prices are high, Mather reminded everyone that the 5p cut in fuel duty is staying put through the end of the year to help with the cost of living. The government is trying to keep the panic at the pumps at zero, but with the Trump administration pressuring European allies to release their own reserves, the plot thickens. For you? It means while gas prices are feeling the weight of the global market, the government claims you don't need to stress about actually running out of fuel.
