Petrol prices force Britons to cut food bill

Almost 10 per cent of people would consider getting rid of their car if fuel prices continue to climb

A quarter of people (26.7 per cent) are reducing the amount they spend on leisure activities, while 15.1 per cent have cancelled outings or holidays outright and half (49.9 per cent) are using their car less frequently.

The survey*, which was carried out for ITV1's Tonight programme and had 2,570 respondents with access to a car, also revealed 91 per cent of people think the Government should lower tax on petrol and diesel, and 12 per cent use public transport instead of their car.

Some 69 per cent are shopping around for cheaper fuel, while 43 per cent have considered driving a car which uses eco-alternatives like biodiesel or liquefied petroleum gas. Some 10.5 per cent of people would consider getting rid of their car altogether if fuel prices continue to climb.

According to the chief executive of the second largest UK onshore oil producer, more rises are on the way.

In an interview for the programme, Roland Wessel, chief executive of Star Energy, says crude oil has been undervalued for years and even now it is actually volume by volume cheaper than mineral water.

He believes prices will only continue to rise and a 250 dollar barrel is within the realm of possibilities.

“I don't think there's any cap as long as people have to fill their cars up. As long as people have to generate power and electricity I think the price will continue to go up until we find an alternative.

“It's a doomsday scenario – the only glimmer of light is the higher the oil price the more economically viable alternatives become.”

Priced Off the Road: Tonight airs tonight at 8pm on ITV1.

*The survey was conducted by the research and insight department of ITV from its vision panel of around 10,000 representative UK adults.