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