The price of fuel goes up and up

[writecombination]

What effect is the continuous climb in fuel costs having on your business? Is it starting to affect what you do? And what impact is it having on your employees?

I'm researching an article so feedback welcome.

Thanks.

[RSBookkeeping]

At the moment the prices are crippling my partner and I. We have 2 cars as we work in different places and work different hours. We are contemplating selling her newer car and have to make up around £500 difference in the finance deal, and buy a run around/pay stupid prices on public transport so that we don't have to pay £200ish a month on finance. The prices are ridiculous and there is another 3p per litre going on at the 1st April. I don't see how they can justify putting so much tax on something that we need in order to be able to get to our place of work. Even buying so called 'green' cars is a bit pointless because you pay a premium for them and still get robbed by the government for the fuel.

[SMART-H&S-Solutions]

As a small business doing quite a bit of travel, I have really taken a hit on this. I drive a Smart-car which helps but still it is ridiculous. Thinking back to teh blockades, it is interesting to note that as a percentage we are now worse off than at that time. Still though we pay and pay and pay.

What happened to us here in Blighty, when did we decide to put up and shut up. I do believe when we no longer have Mother to look after we shall leave and take our taxes elsewhere. What happened to the Great in GBPLC?

I rebuilt a classic Corvette and owned a restored Harley, all purchased with money that had plenty of tax taken. Clearly even though I limited mileage, it still became fuel cost prohibitive, and consequently when I was made redundant last year they had to go. Even mowing the lawn costs an arm and a leg, and why on earth is there ANY tax on heating fuel for domestic use???Especially as the winter fuel payment is not even means tested.

Completely sick of it all quite honestly, but nothing will happen, we shall just be further punished as the months roll by. £2.00 a litre spring/summer 2011 is being touted.

[Mark]

I was thinking about this today. It's shocking to be honest.

I made this a good while back.

[AdamW]

What really tickles me is we all kick up a fuss when it hits a pound. Moan and groan. They relent it does down and then we do jack when it goes back up again. Seems no one has cottoned on that this it what happens. We were going to get a new car but might hold off now.

[Blake]

I'm not ever shoked to know the price has risen up one more time, that's just natural, and I'm well used to it,it doesn't affect my business at all, but has its effect on my family income...

[B_Cal]

Mark - pity they did not engage you to do the 2010 logo, it would have saved the taxpayer a few hundred thousand to start with.

BA and train strikes, government on it's knees - for those of you under 35, welcome to "old labour" they simply have run out of tax payers money to spend.

[Mark]

Indeed. I well recall grim times in the 70s. Strikes, discontent, power cuts, food shortages... I simply couldn't believe people voted Labour in again so soon.

[katiestar]

the price of fuel is definitley affecting me personally, not only is it becoming ever harder to run a car but it has also deterred me from making many trips to see friends and family. With my amily living a 300 mile round trip away i ahve definitely cut down my visits home.

And in a business sense i think many businesses are moving towards different modes of transport where possible, such as trains and so forth.

[Ray Stewart]

The price will only go up. It is one of the last things people will do without and the govt. will seek to extract every last drop of money from us this way for as long as possible.

Around here we have little chance of using public transport. The nearest railway station is Loughborough - about 11 miles away across country and takes about an hour on the bus.

Of course, we used to have railway stations all around here but Beeching put paid to that. So for us - diesel is the only option no matter what the price.

[SMART-H&S-Solutions]

With Ray here; if we could get down to one car and rely on PT it would be a help. Having so said I do occasional trips to London on business from Somerset and honestly apart from the relaxing time I could do it cheaper by car. Almost £200 return now by rail. and closer to £300 first class.

Coach is OK, but by the time it stops here there and everywhere to pick up, I need to allow 4-5 hours to get to London. Then of course it drops me at Heathrow so I need undergound...another £6.00.

Has anyone ever done a comparison on a pro-rata basis to what fuel cost say in the 70's, 80', 90's etc compared to cost of living/RPI etc? I would like to know if it is in proportion to previous years. Maybe £1.25 a litre is a lot to pay but perhaps on a cost ratio it is actually similar to earlier decades.

Mike

[Ray Stewart]

If it helps, I had a small motorbike in 1974 when I came out the Merchant Navy (having missed the three day week and winter of discontent in the sunshine of India/Australia) and I clearly remember having to pay 31p for a Gallon of petrol. I only earnt £10/week so it seemed a lot then too.

[kendalcottages]

It doesn't really affect my business as I don't drive to work (I walk) and I don't generally drive to see clients, etc.

However, I notice it when I fill up the 4x4 on a personal level...