Fuel protests are being planned across Britain as pump prices carry on soaring because of the Iran war, it was claimed today.
Farming organisations were reportedly discussing how to carry out similar protests that have brought roads to a standstill in Ireland over the past week.
It comes as average diesel prices nudge closer to a record £2 a litre after more than 40 consecutive days of price rises, although dozens of forecourts are already charging this.
The Sunday Telegraph quoted a ‘source involved with the discussions’ as saying: ‘We’ve hit the £2 mark on a litre of diesel.
‘That’s a scary place to be. It will be a matter of time before people in this country start to go out and protest.
Since the Iran war started, the cost of filling the average 55-litre tank in a family car with petrol has surged £14 and nearly £30 for diesel
‘Farmers are the last people who want to go out and protest. You have to remember this is a very busy time of the year for us.
‘But with the inheritance tax protests, you’ve got the groups that have been set up. The infrastructure is there to mobilise.
‘Discussions have been had and there will be a few people coming together at the beginning of next week to see what can be done.’
Ministers are said to be drawing up plans for how to deal with mass protests over the cost of living crisis sparked by the conflict in the Gulf.
The protests in Ireland have resulted in farmers and truckers blocking major roads in protest at sky-high fuel prices.
But the National Farmers’ Union in the UK said ‘we’ve not heard about fuel protests within the farming community similar to those in Ireland’, adding: ‘It’s not something we’re hearing from our members about.’
Since the Iran war started, the cost of filling the average 55-litre tank in a family car with petrol has surged £14 and nearly £30 for diesel.
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Diesel prices near £2/litre as farming groups consider Ireland-style road blockades over fuel costs.
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Rising fuel costs threaten food supply chains and could trigger widespread economic disruption across sectors.
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Similar protests in 2000 brought Britain to a standstill within days, forcing government policy changes.