As part of Car Articles commitment to bringing you the very latest and best industry news along with features, previews and event coverage, it gives me great pleasure to provide the first in our new ‘daily news’ segments. It’s just a shame that it is yet again a story about fuel prices – but then we really feel you should know about this.
Due to rising demand and global tensions, there’s been a jump yet again in the price of oil per barrel. It has hit almost $139 and is expected to reach $150 by July. It arrives as energy officials from around the world meet in Tokyo to discuss what can be done about supply and demand – especially in light of surging economies such as India and China.
Some analysts have predicted that there could be a rise to about $200 in only 18 months – this news has been enough to put my new car purchase on hold. This could mean prices of petrol (per litre) going up to around £1.70 or more. Naturally, this is a worry for anyone using their vehicle regularly.
In related news, talks continue in an attempt to avert a four-day strike involving drivers who deliver fuel for Shell. Members of Unite are meeting the employer to attempt to agree a pay deal after a 6.8% increase was snubbed. If going ahead, the strike will begin on Friday and continue until Tuesday. Approximately 10% of fuel stations in the UK could be affected by this move. If you want my advice, don’t panic. Staying sensible should mean there’s enough fuel to go around.
Fraser says
June 13, 2008 at 9:52 amSeems like the strike is going ahead and could effect more than 10% as the Shell drivers have picket lines on the refineries and are trying to convince other drivers to join them. I agree though that the advice is don’t panic but it seems that the government saying that means the opposite will happen!
Mr Butterscotch says
June 13, 2008 at 2:50 pmUnfortunately this is true. Some drivers have joined the strike due to the picketing – nonetheless there’ll be a forecourt in your area with fuel. This sort of stuff is a self-fulfilling prophecy. The government says ‘don’t panic’ so everyone does.
It doesn’t help that places like Sky News (I won’t give them a link) has headlines such as ‘Tanker Strike Could Leave Petrol Stations Empty’. Sensationalist? Yes. Factual? Well in a way. Not exactly quantified though is it?
Mr Butterscotch says
June 13, 2008 at 2:52 pmI’d also like to add to this that drivers were looking for an average wage of about £41/42k. They claimed it was because the job can be dangerous and they hadn’t had a pay rise in a long time. Personally, I think being a serving Private in the army is probably more dangerous and they’ll stick you on 15/16k at the start of your career…