HMG does not hold a separate Government-owned strategic reserve of petrol or diesel. The UK meets its International Energy Agency obligations by requiring industry to hold emergency stocks, which can be made available in the event of a supply disruption.

The Government is committed to ensuring that motorists get a fair deal at the pump and we have taken several measures to protect consumers from fuel prices increases.

We have extended the temporary 5p fuel duty cut until 31 December 2026 which will save the average motorist £120.

We also worked with international partners through a co-ordinated release of strategic oil stocks, with the UK contributing 13.5 million barrels to help increase global supply and reduce upward pressure on prices

We have also introduced Fuel Finder, which is now being enforced by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), enabling drivers to compare fuel prices and find the cheapest fuel locally.

The CMA’s latest road fuels monitoring report, published on 1 June, found no evidence that retailers are exploiting recent market developments.

Fuel markets are overseen by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The Government and the CMA are closely monitoring fuel prices in light of instability in the Middle East, and I have raised reports of localised price spikes directly with the CMA.

The CMA’s latest road fuels prices report published on the 1 May should reassure drivers that the road fuels market is working as expected at a time when drivers are under pressure.

Nonetheless, we have taken several measures to protect drivers. The Chancellor has frozen fuel duty since this Government came to office, extending the 5p fuel duty cut until 31 December. We have also implemented Fuel Finder, which my Department’s analysis suggests could save households that own a car around £40 per year on average.

In April 2025, the Government set out that small and micro volume manufacturers will be exempt from the 2030 phase out date for new pure petrol and diesel cars. The Government will continue to work with the low volume manufacturing sector as proposals to implement the phase out are finalised.

An initial carbon analysis of options for phasing out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 was included in the 2024 consultation. A cost benefit analysis on final proposals will be published when we consult on legislation to implement the policy. Government has reinstated the commitment to phase out sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030 which has restored investment certainty to the automotive sector. There are now over two million electric vehicles (EVs) registered in the UK and March was the biggest ever month for EV sales in the UK

There are no dedicated Net Zero levies on petrol or diesel in the UK.

The cost of fuel is influenced by a range of factors. As oil is a globally traded commodity, disruptions or uncertainty in any region can influence prices in the UK until global markets stabilise.

Nonetheless, we have taken several measures to protect drivers. The Chancellor has frozen fuel duty since this Government came to office, extending the 5p fuel duty cut until September. We have also implemented Fuel Finder, which my Department’s analysis suggests could save households that own a car around £40 per year on average.

Fuel markets are governed by competition and consumer law, overseen by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). The Government and the CMA are closely monitoring petrol and diesel prices in light of instability in the Middle East, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer and my Rt hon Friend the Secretary of State recently met with fuel retailers to set out a clear message: unfair practices will not be tolerated.

We are also engaging regularly with refiners, importers and distributors to ensure any emerging risks are identified and managed promptly. The government has also introduced the statutory Fuel Finder scheme, which will increase transparency for UK road fuel prices, including providing localised data for prices across the UK, and the CMA have the power to take enforcement action for non-compliance.

HM Revenue and Customs does not hold information on VAT revenue from specific products or services, including VAT on petrol and diesel.

This is because businesses are not required to provide figures at a product level within their VAT returns, as this would impose an excessive administrative burden.

We will be carefully monitoring the impact of the current volatility in fuel prices on the National Health Service, with a view to managing it as part of usual in-year financial management of risk. The impact on fuel prices will be felt by all organisations who rely on fuel for transport, including the indirect potential impact on the cost of deliveries, and direct costs on the NHS fleet which consists of over 20,000 vehicles travelling over 460 million miles every year. The impact is likely to vary, for example as part of the NHS Net Zero travel and transport strategy, a number of ambulance trusts are trialling zero-emission response vehicles.

Fuel Finder is now live, with all petrol filling stations in the UK required to report their latest prices. Increasing price transparency will increase pressure on fuel retailers to compete strongly to attract consumers by lowering their prices, including in areas where competition has historically been weaker, such as rural areas.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have the power to take enforcement action for non-compliance, including imposing financial penalties.

The CMA recent annual report found that competition has not strengthened since 2023, which was consistent with significant price variations within and between local areas. The CMA has statutory information gathering powers to monitor the road fuels market and will use Fuel Finder data to further assess regional pricing.

Fuel markets are governed by competition and consumer protection law, overseen by the Competition Market Authority (CMA). The Government and the CMA are closely monitoring petrol and diesel prices in light of instability in the Middle East, and the Chancellor and Secretary of State recently met with fuel retailers to set out a clear message: unfair practices will not be tolerated.

We are also engaging regularly with refiners, importers and distributors to ensure any emerging risks are identified and managed promptly. The government has also introduced the statutory Fuel Finder, which will increase transparency for UK road fuel prices and the CMA have the power to take enforcement action for non-compliance.

The Government has implemented the statutory open data scheme Fuel Finder, with all UK petrol filling stations now required to report their prices for petrol and diesel within 30 minutes of a change. Increasing price transparency will increase pressure on fuel retailers to compete strongly to attract consumers by lowering their prices.

Fuel Finder data is made available to data services such as mapping software and price comparison apps to enable consumers to compare petrol and diesel prices more easily and to shop around for the cheapest fuel.

The Department of Energy Security and Net Zero closely monitors live fuel stock levels to ensure we have an accurate picture of the supply situation, and current indications show that petrol station forecourts across the UK remain well stocked. We also maintain regular engagement with industry, who confirm that the road fuel supply chain is operating across the UK as normal.

The Government does not measure stock levels at individual forecourts so localised concerns will not always show on our data. However, the government continues to liaise with industry to closely monitor the situation and will act should the situation require it.