Drivers of petrol and diesel cars urged to fill up tanks before November 26

An increase in fuel duty could be used to generate revenue for the Government

Holly Kintuka 19:11, 16 Nov 2025

Midsection of woman refueling car at gas station

View ImageDrivers urged to fill up tanks before November 26 amid fuel duty rise(Image: Maskot via Getty Images)

Motorists are being warned to fill up their tanks amid mounting speculation that fuel duty could increase in next week's Autumn Budget. The charge has remained frozen since 2011, and since 2022, both Conservative and Labour [1] Governments have also preserved a temporary 5p-per-litre reduction brought in following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The policy was brought in to shield drivers from potential surges in global oil prices and is presently due to end on March 22, 2026.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves will present the Autumn Budget [2] on Wednesday, November 26, outlining the Government's taxation and expenditure proposals, and a fuel duty hike could be employed to raise funds for the Government.

The scrapping of the 5p reduction [3], alongside an unfrozen rate, is anticipated to push the fuel duty rate up with inflation [4], leading to higher petrol and diesel costs in the coming months, and prompting a leading expert to encourage drivers to ensure they are ready for the shift, reports GB News.

Matthew Briggs, CEO of Right Fuel Card, is recommending drivers understand which fuel would best suit their vehicles, and emphasised supermarket fuel costs, which have maintained their standing as being the most affordable among major retailers, reports the Express [5].

He observed that it was "completely true", with RAC Fuel Watch showing that the average cost at Asda [6], Morrisons [7], Sainsbury's [8] and Tesco [9] outlets is 132p - 3.33p lower than the national average for unleaded.

The average price of diesel at supermarkets [10] was also cheaper, being 3.51p less than the average across the UK.

Mr Briggs said: "Of course, these fuel prices vary nationwide depending on the location, but the critical advice is to avoid motorway fill-ups due to their excessively high prices.

"Petrol stations capitalise on the fact that when you're on the motorway and running low on fuel, you're compelled to pray regardless of the cost."

There are currently no suggestions of changes to fuel prices. However, motorway service stations are charging over 23p more than the UK average.

Drivers have to pay an average of 158.2p for unleaded and 168.11p for diesel when travelling on the motorway.

Changes to the rate of fuel duty could lead to increased fuel prices. However, the Fuel Finder scheme, a Government initiative expected to launch by the end of the year, could help stabilise the costs or bring them down.

The Fuel Finder will require petrol stations to publish live fuel price data and the unavailability of fuel within 30 minutes of a change.

The Government suggest that drivers could save between one and six pence per litre once it is introduced.

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A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson told GB News: "Fuel Finder is on track. Retailers must give a fair price for their fuel by passing on any savings at the pump. Fuel Finder will ensure retailers share real-time prices, making them more accountable to drivers."

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