A RECORD rise in fuel prices has been the “icing on the cake” of an already challenging period for Dorset business owners and self-employed people who rely heavily on vehicle use.
With the UK in the midst of record highs for petrol and diesel prices following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the ripples are having a “big impact” on local business owners for whom driving is essential to their work.
Deborah Axworthy is chair of the Bournemouth and District Driving Instructors Association. She and many of her colleagues serving Bournemouth and surrounding areas have been forced to increase driving lesson rates as a direct response to current fuel prices.
She told the Echo: “This is first time in 19 years of doing this job that I’ve increased my lesson prices for current learners. It’s depressing. We don’t want to but we’ve been put in a position where we have very little choice because it’s become such a huge expense.
“It’s all the other costs that are part of the business, like car insurance, that adds to the problem. The fuel increase was unfortunately just the icing on cake. I have a saying that when a new person starts with me the price you start on is the price you pass on – I can’t say that anymore.
“I messaged everyone to say that I was really sorry but had to increase the prices and they’ve all been really supportive and understanding which was a real relief. I’m hoping that this will settle and the prices will go down soon, but I’m not holding my breath.”
This follows the nationwide fuel shortage of September last year, in which panic buying caused a shortage at petrol stations across the UK.
Similarly reliant on cheaper fuel is Nick Simms, co-owner of Bournemouth-based Acorn Removals. He has seen his removal and storage business expenses skyrocket but isn’t yet wanting to increase prices for his customers.
He said: “This is having a big impact on us, however we’re not putting our prices up at the moment because we’re hoping they’ll level out and fall – but it’s hard to see that happening at the moment, it’s really up in the air.
“One of our fears when we had the fuel shortage and panic buying was that commercial vehicles like ours would be targeted. We’re always keeping an eye on stations to see which has the best price but we’re now having to pre-plan as much as possible to save where we can.
“In the last three months it’s gone from about £1.40 to £1.75 per litre and our vehicles take about 80 litres, so you can work out rather quickly the extra money we’re having to spend. It is a big headache.
“We can only hope things improve very quickly.”
Deborah and Nick both suggested a reduction in fuel duties as a respite to the heavy prices, with Nick describing the idea as a “no brainer”.
Speaking recently in the House of Commons, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said he would “bear in mind” the proposal to cut fuel taxes.
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