Petrol prices have climbed by almost 24p a litre since Labour came to power in July 2024, adding significantly to the cost of filling up for motorists across Scotland.

Official UK Government figures show average unleaded petrol reached 168.14p a litre in the week beginning 14 September, compared with 144.45p in the week beginning 8 July 2024.

That represents an increase of 23.69p a litre over the period and adds just over £13 to the cost of filling a typical 55 litre family car.

The SNP has seized on the increase to call for the UK Government to abandon planned increases in fuel duty next year.

The temporary 5p reduction in fuel duty introduced in 2022 is currently being maintained until the end of December 2026.

Under the present arrangements, duty is then due to rise by 3p a litre from January 2027 and a further 2p from March, returning the rate to its pre 2022 level, although the Government has said final rates will be confirmed at Budget 2026.

The pressure on motorists comes alongside another increase in household energy costs this autumn.

Ofgem’s energy price cap for a typical household paying by direct debit will rise from £1,663 to £1,723 from 1 October, an increase of £60 a year based on typical consumption.

SNP MSP Dawn Black said:

“Since the Labour Party came to power, petrol costs are £230 higher and heating bills are set to be £1000 more than they promised, yet Andy Burnham still plans to hike fuel duty and has only cut bills by a measly £4 a month.

“Under Westminster control, hardworking Scottish households just cannot get a break while folk working in our energy sector face redundancies on an industrial scale.

“The fact is Scotland has the energy, but Westminster controls the price.

“Let’s not forget that they shutdown our refineries.

“That’s left Scottish drivers paying through the nose at the pump and through the teeth for our heating bills and all for our own energy resources.

“There is a simple truth that energy rich Scots should never be fuel poor and that is exactly why we need a fresh start with independence.”

The political argument over fuel duty comes against a backdrop of sharply higher pump prices, with petrol rising particularly quickly during the summer.

Average unleaded stood at 149.8p a litre at the beginning of July before climbing beyond 168p by the middle of September.

For motorists across the Highlands and Islands, where longer journeys and limited public transport can make a car a necessity rather than a convenience, every increase at the pump is particularly difficult to avoid.

Whether the planned fuel duty increases survive the next Budget remains to be seen, but motorists are already paying considerably more for petrol than they were when Labour entered government just over two years ago.