Brits Angry Over ‘Unfair’ Petrol Prices
The rise in fuel prices is unjust and straining family finances, but it will not force car-reliant Brits from their vehicles.
Over half (55%) of 2,663 Sky News Panel members said they had been forced to cut back on their general spending because of the soaring prices at the pumps.
But under a third (32%) said they were making up for the climbing petrol cost by driving less.
Many reported that they tried to beat the price hikes by shopping around - or using the comparison site petrolprices.com.
With unleaded costing up to £1.27 per litre and diesel up to £1.41, why aren’t more of the Sky News panel respondents leaving their cars at home to save money?
From the responses gathered, lifestyle and a lack of public transport options seemed the biggest obstacles.
Some 76% of those surveyed claimed their car was vital for getting to work and running a family.
Nearly half (48%) said they could not even consider giving up their car - but 44% said they would if they didn’t rely on it so much.
Only 10% said that the fuel price rise had encouraged them to use public transport more - perhaps because 72% claimed that buses, trams and trains were not a viable option for their journeys.
Car-sharing schemes were viewed unfavourably by most (68.6%) but 59% said they would think about investing in a greener car to save money in the long term.
Some 64% said they were very angry about the jump in petrol prices with a further 26% a little angry.
Only a tiny minority of 2.5% said they hadn’t been affected by the increased costs and so were unconcerned.
The vast majority (90%) of those surveyed said the price hikes were unfair and the same percentage thought it was up to the Government to intervene.
Over half (52%) were so frustrated by the issue that they claimed they would be prepared to join a national direct action protest, such as a go-slow convoy on a motorway.
Source: Sky.com
Tags: fuel costs, price rising, UK