Fuel Prices and People Power

[Tritan]

Just the other day, my wallet was hit hard. I put 35 litres of fuel into my car, and paid almost �35. The price of fuel is ridiculous.

Why does the price of fuel go up over night whenever something to the petroleum industry occurs? I mean, it's not like the fuel that was delivered to the forecourts weeks ago is affected, so why do the prices go up instantly? It's a big rip off.

I agree with the fuel blockades. I know it causes disruption - and yes I do feel for those really affected by it, such as small businesses etc. But something does need to be done.

I think that everyone should refuse to buy fuel on a designated day, once a week. For example every Wednesday. If everyone stopped buying fuel on Wednesdays then revenues for the oil companies would be effected (slightly, but it's the principle).

Anyone have any opinions, suggestions or comments?

[flump1]

Tritan I agree with you about the increase in fuel prices.It does affect all members of the public, drivers or not. As an owner driver of a truck my husband is hit hard by fuel prices. Apart from air we breath, gas elactricity and water there is not much else than we do not all use in our homes that has not been transported by truck. However if these prices continue to rise pushing the small hauliers out of business the bigger ones will increase their prices and inevitability they will pass them on to the customers. Who will then moan at the increases! We do not support blockades or making people's already stressful days any worse by protest actions . However a little more support like yours would not go amiss.

[stevie21]

If everybody stopped buying fuel on Wednesdays then oil companies would just see an increase in revenue spread across the other 6 days of the week. The only way that their income would be affected would be if people just used less fuel and I can't see that you've outlined how this would happen.

It might be more productive to cycle to work. Walk to the shops. Use public transport.

[smudge]

I popped out to re-fuel my car late last night, it cost me �60 - ouch!

[magentared]

Maybe they put the prices up to try and stop people in Northern Ireland from throwing petrol bombs about?

Nah, I'm not being serious and I don't mean to be insensitive about the Northern Ireland trouble. I don't drive so I'm feeling pretty relaxed.

[Artemis]

�35 for 35 Litres is 1� per Litre. I don't know of anywhere in the UK that has yet reached that price. The pumps can't take more than 99.9p per litre.

[Sasha13]

A better way to stage a protest would be to boycott a couple of major petrol companies eg Esso and BP - if everyone started buying fuel from other places and kept this up for a while, they would have to consider bringing prices down. If they did this, other companies would need to as well.

[louadams6]

Well the petrol stations in the midlands have certainly taken advantage of all this panic buying, some putting it as high as �1.20 per litre and people are still buying it!!!!

i dont drive so this doesnt affect me. people always say to me why have you never learnt? I think i know why now!!!!

[stevie21]

EDDIE51, the reality is that about 60% goes to the treasury in VAT and fuel tax. Not 80%.

Either way, I still think that finding an alternative to using your car benefits everyone. You get fitter, prices come down, less damage to the environment etc. etc.

[libertie]

Can I just add that even if you don't drive the increase in fuel prices will still impact on you in some way......taxi / bus fares will increase as will lots of food prices as the hauliers will be forced to pass on some of their increased fuel costs!

[Buddy]

I actually posted in previous post but the gist of it is this.

The Government will be laughing up their sleeves today because they generated all their revenue yesterday with mad panic buying.I understand businesses of course filling up.

The only solution is to boycott BP who in spite of moaning and lamenting made approx 30 Billion profit last year (please feel free to correct me !).

Then continue buying your petrol from other garages like Tesco who at least try to keep a lid on their prices.

BP will then be forced to bring the prices down and the rest will follow suit.

As for the revenue the Government receive - simple dont vote for Labour and let them know you wont in future.In other words lobby them because sure as fate BP would eventually.

More than one way to skin a cat - as the saying goes!!!

[Gef]

Just wondered who the supermarkets get their petrol from if not from the major oil companies?

[stevie21]

Just in case Buddy is generalising a bit. If a small homegrown company made a profit of �1million we'd all be happy for them. BP, by any measure, may just be 30,000 times bigger than this company (have I got my sums right? 30,000 x �1m = �30billion?? That's my point anyway!).

Just to quote the figure for profit is misleading and the type of thing that you see in the tabloids. "BP are evil, they made �950 profit per second."

[Buddy]

Stevie 21 - I was in a way generalising but I think you are all savvy enough to know what I meant.

Hit the biggest companies or company and the prices will come down.

That way we are all happy - apart from the major player and the government.

I have not done my homework but my mother was telling me yesterday that the 30 yr embargo on Government news was lifted either yesterday or day before and the oil profit which has been put into the Government coffers is beyond belief (from North Sea).

We should be lobbying them.I dont understand the British people - give them a bit of grief.If they think they are losing popularity they will find it from somwhere else (Oh what a cynic).BTW - I know in the last 30 yrs its not just been Labour.Thet have all been rubbing their hands with glee. Yet we helped Kuwait etc out re oil.Am I losing the plot here!!!

[c00ky83]

I'll always fill up, no matter the price.  Extortionate parking prices are another matter, but they actually lead to me using less fuel and using the bus.  All hail the parking meter!

[andrewlee]

Artemis, I went to fill up today, and had to pay �1.07 per litre!   This was because all the selfish sheep-like boneheads who queued up to top up earlier in the week emptied the filling station of ordinary unleaded, and I had to buy super unleaded, grrr

I did take some comfort in the fact that petrol prices have now come down, and those panic buyers who would spoil it for everyone else have paid top dollar!

[Alltorque]

EDDIE51 and others get it right here. Buying a particular brand of fuel is no guarantee that that company produced it. There are lots of "exchange" deals around whereby the oil majors offtake fuel supplies from others' regional distribution centres. As for the supermarkets - do Tesco or Morrisons have refineries ? Nope, and they don't grow vegetables, make cornflakes or sweets etc either. They are purely retailers. As least the major oil companies go out and find the crude, refine it and distribute the fuel. Yes, the price of road fuels is pretty bad, (but going to get worse), but where's the rant about the price of bottled water ? Now that IS a rip-off.

[carras]

I live up a steep hill near the end of a bus route. In the last three years the bus time-table has been chopped about until we are down to a once an hour service which is also expensive.

Yes I drive and look to buy the cheapest petrol as both myself and my mother need better transport facilities. Mum is an elderly disabled pensioner and I am a mature spinster who does not work due to health problems and my income is pathetic.

Any appointments would have to be goverened by the bus timetable and believe me it is an impossible task. Try to link the difficult to get GP apponimtment with a once an hour bus service. Yes I can get a taxi - if I am willing to pay �7 for a one way journey.

I also do voluntary work an again the bus service does not help. My final public transport problem is tied into the fact that my social activity involves me getting into Manchester. Given my local bus does not run after 6:30 p.m. and I would have to walk up the hill in the dark - I use the car.