Road-reliant businesses feel fuel squeeze

Businesses across the UK are facing record road fuel bills, as world oil prices remain close to an unprecedented $120 dollar-a-barrel high.

In London yesterday, hauliers protested about the continuing high cost of diesel with a convoy of 65 vehicles travelling from Kent to Park Lane. One haulier told Channel 4 news that his company's fuel bill had increased by £30,000 per month compared to November 2007.

Motoring organisations and consumer groups criticised oil companies Shell and BP, which both revealed a leap in profits for the first quarter of this year.

However, the government has also come under fire from business groups.

Sam Turvey, a spokesperson for the British Chambers of Commerce, told More Than Business News that while energy minister Malcolm Wicks has acknowledged that high oil prices are hitting businesses, the government has done little to help.

"Mr Wicks needs to persuade the chancellor to scrap the next 2p hike in fuel duty planned for October. Another unnecessary fuel duty rise will simply add to the frustration of vehicle-dependant businesses, who are struggling to avoid passing extra costs onto customers."

Meanwhile, Web User magazine has reported an increase in the number of people turning to the web in their search for cheaper fuel.

Comparison site PetrolPrices.com told the magazine: "We have seen a marked increase in traffic recently, almost double to that a year ago, as people look for cheap petrol prices. We currently have around 30,000 unique users a day."