Labour refuses to 'confirm or deny' emergency meetings amid fears of 'mass purchasing of fuel'

Felix Reeves
Fri, 24 Apr 2026 10:45:32 +0000

Ministers have refused to confirm whether secret meetings were held to discuss soaring fuel prices, amid fears it could spark panic buying.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said it would not "confirm nor deny" whether briefings had taken place to discuss petrol and diesel prices.

The latest data from RAC Fuel Watch states that drivers are paying an average of 157.34p per litre for unleaded petrol and 189.88p for diesel.

Since prices peaked on April 15, petrol has fallen by just under a penny per litre, while diesel drivers have seen a 1.66p drop.

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Between the start of the war in Iran on February 28 and the peak, prices soared to a three-year high of 158.31p per litre for petrol and 191.54p for diesel.

A freedom of information request by the Press Association saw DESNZ state that acknowledging briefings could lead to "economic damage" to the UK.

DESNZ stated that information was being held amid fears it would cause "instability" and affect the financial status of the wider economy.

It acknowledged that fuel prices, as well as financial markets, are very sensitive to information from the Government, which could have a knock-on effect.

The department added: "Confirming or denying that information is held relating to factors affecting fuel prices would cause widespread concerns over security of supply and lead to the mass purchasing of fuel, further distorting fuel prices and putting strain on fuel supply chains.

"This information would also impact the internationally traded crude oil price, causing volatility in UK financial markets and impacting inflation."

DESNZ outlined that requests for information would "relate to the formulation and development of policy" in response to the Iran war.

Earlier during the fuel crisis, The Telegraph reported that the National Emergency Plan for Fuel (NEP-F) included details of measures that could be introduced in the event of fuel disruption.

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This included speed limit reductions that would see motorway limits cut to 50mph to reduce the amount of fuel being used by motorists across the country.

Other measures included the army being rolled out to make fuel deliveries, which took place during the 2021 fuel crisis.

Recommendations also featured suggestions for more people to work from home to lessen the demand for fuel.

GB News has rounded up the most expensive petrol and diesel costs around the UK, according to the latest data from the Government's Fuel Finder tool.

Most expensive petrol prices

Texaco Service Station Barking, Barking, London (IG11 0TT) - 189.9p

BP Wilsons, Dunoon, Argyll And Bute (PA23 8AL) - 188.9p

Main Road Garage, Boston, Lincolnshire (PE20 3SW) - 188.9p

Asda Cherwell Valley Express Petrol, Bicester, Oxfordshire (OX27 7RD) - 185.9p

EG Rivington North and South PFS, Bolton, Greater Manchester (BL6 5UZ) - 185.9p

Most expensive diesel prices

Lancaster North and South Service Area, Lancaster, Lancashire (LA2 9DU) - 203.9p

Craignure Stores, Isle of Mull, Inner Hebrides (PA65 6AY) - 202.9p

A&C Cameron T A Blackwaterfoot Garage, Isle of Arran, North Ayrshire (KA27 8ES) - 202.1p

Asda Oakhurst Express Petrol, Cockermouth, Cumbria (CA13 0QT) - 201.9p

Asda Hamilton Express Petrol, Hamilton, South Lanarkshire (ML3 6JW) - 199.9p