Motorists are being warned of rising fuel costs as global oil prices reach a 10-month high.

Petrol prices have already reached the highest UK average since December last year at 155.5p a litre – and they are 10p more than the beginning of August.

The RAC said that production cuts by Saudi Arabia and Russia, and an increased demand from China, have resulted in the spike in costs, meaning drivers will be “in for a hard time at the pumps”.

Brent crude, the benchmark for oil prices, ended Monday at $94 a barrel – its highest price since November 2022.

Before the start of this month, the highest oil price in 2023 was $88 in January.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said diesel was set to jump in price from its current average of 159p a litre to more than 170p.

But he said “the situation with petrol is different”, warning that “prices on the forecourt are actually too high due to retailers taking bigger margins than normal”.

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“If they were playing fair with drivers, they would be reducing their prices rather than putting them up,” Mr Williams said.

“However, if oil were to hit 100 US dollars, it should really only take the average petrol price up by another 2p.

“But if retailers remain intent on making more money per litre with increased margins then this could be closer to 160p.”

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Analysts also warn that rising global oil prices could impact inflation, with forecasts saying the UK economy will have the highest inflation rate among the world’s richest nations this year.

In June 2022, average petrol prices reached a “frightening” new record high of 177.9p a litre, with the average cost to fill a 55-litre family car with unleaded petrol almost £98, according to the RAC

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Then-Energy Secretary Grant Shapps held talks with key supermarket and fuel firm bosses in July over “sky high” fuel prices, and vowed to tell them “enough is enough”.

This came after the Competition and Markets Authority found increased supermarket profit margins led to drivers paying an extra 6p per litre for fuel last year.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero have been approached for comment.

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