The surge in global oil prices triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East has raised fears of rising fuel costs for UK motorists and just months after prices at the pump dipped to some of their lowest levels in years.
Oil prices jumped sharply this week and it has rattled global markets, renewing concerns about supply disruption and prompting a spike in crude oil prices.
Some UK garages have already reported running out of fuel, though it remains unclear whether this is due to growing demand or isolated supply issues.
Government’s Fuel Finder Scheme
In an effort to boost transparency and help drivers find the cheapest options, all petrol stations across the UK have, since February, been required to publish their prices daily under the government’s Fuel Finder Scheme.
Stations must report their pump prices within 30 minutes to approved third-party websites and apps, allowing motorists to compare rates nearby. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has said the move could save the average household up to £40 a year.
While there is currently no official government app for tracking prices, open-source data is available for established comparison sites such as petrolmap.co.uk, which maps live fuel prices across London and the wider UK.
Recent fuel price trends as of January 2026
At the end of January, the average price of petrol in the UK was 131.91p per litre – levels not seen since July 2021, according to figures from the RAC.
The motoring group reported that prices had fallen by more than 5p since December, saving drivers nearly £3 per fill-up on a typical 55-litre family car. Diesel prices also slipped by around 3p per litre, averaging 140.97p at the start of the year.
Simon Williams, head of policy at the RAC, described the lower pump prices as “a genuine boost for drivers,” noting that “seeing the price of petrol dip under 132p is a positive start to the year for household budgets.”
However, analysts warn the recent Middle East unrest could reverse these savings if oil prices continue to climb.
Where to find the cheapest petrol in London:
Analysis from petrolmap.co.uk shows motorists can still find competitive deals around the capital. The cheapest stations currently include:
- Morrisons Camden, North London 123.9p per litre
- Asda Kent Road Automat, South East London 128.7p per litre
- Tesco Southwark, South East London 128.9p per litre
- Tesco Canada Water, South East London, 128.9p per litre
- Shell, Southwark, South East London, 129.9p per litre
- Morrisons, Peckham, South East London, 130.7p per litre
- Stapelton, S/stn, North London, 131.7p per litre
- Camberwell S/stn, South East London, 131.8p per litre
- Mfg Hopfields, South East London, 131.9p, per litre
- Grove Vale F/stn, 131.9p, per litre
- Tesco Southwark, South East London 128.9p per litre
- Tesco Canada Water, South East London 128.9p per litre
- Sainsbury’s Charlton Riverside, East Greenwich, South East London 129.9p per litre
- Southwark Shell station, South East London 129.9p per litre
- Texaco Park Deptford, South East London 129.9p per litre
- Sainsbury’s New Cross Gate, South East London 129.9p per litre
- Morrison’s Peckham, South East London 130.7p per litre
- Harvest Energy Stapleton Station, Finsbury Park, North London 131.7p per litre
South East London is the cheapest place to find petrol, the analysis shows (PA Wire) - Applegreen Service Station, Camberwell, South East London 131.8p per litre
- BP Hopfields, Old Kent Road, South East London 131.9p per litre
- Esso Loamput Vale, Lewisham, South East London 131.9p per litre
- Esso Foxberry, Brockley, South East London 131.9p per litre
- Esso East Dulwich Road, South East London 131.9p per litre
- BP Grove Vale, South East London 131.9p per litre
- Tesco Camden Express, North West London 132.9p per litre
Overall, South East London continues to offer the lowest average petrol prices, providing some relief for drivers facing broader cost-of-living pressures.
