Petrol prices and fuel tax too high in the UK

I read in the news recently that oil giant BP has unveiled record first-half profits on the back of rising world demand for oil.  The price of petrol at the pump is climbing through the roof and yet they still have to rub our faces in it with this announcement.  In the headlines today it was reported that the cost of a barrel of crude oil is above $65 for the first time on record.  What will BP do now?  Will they announce a windfall for their shareholders just to rub salt into the wounds?

It just makes my blood boil, because every other day on the way to work when I stop for petrol, I see yet again that the price of fuel has crept up a little.  We know that demand for oil has increased due to developing countries.  We also know that there are supply problems because of wars and natural events and therefore expect price increases from time to time.  We do not appreciate however, the major oil companies such as BP, Shell, Texaco and Esso etc... flaunting their bloated profits right in front of us whilst the price of petrol is going up at the pumps.

price of petrol going up... makes us resentful

That kind of thing makes the public very resentful, and fuel protests of 2000 showed that we are more than capable of making them sit up and take notice if we have to.

Oh and let us not forget the cut our government gets in the form of fuel tax!  We dont see them stepping in to help us out do we?

If they actually took all that money and ploughed it into researching alternative forms of energy such as hydrogen storage or fuel cells, it would be quite acceptable.  I get the feeling that it is being squandered somewhere else instead though.

When the price of oil goes up, petrol prices go up...

The bottom line is, when the price of oil goes up, petrol prices go up, so too does the cost of living.  It costs more to manufacture and transport goods, so industry tends to naturally pass that on to you and me, the consumer!  Because of our dependence on oil were slowly being squeezed from all directions.

Thanks to the greed of the major oil companies, not forgetting of course our money grubbing government; we work hard to earn a living so that we can line the pockets of some fat cat scoundrels who are busy telling us how much money they have made out of us!

Theres absolutely no justice anymore. So maybe it's time for blockades at the refinery and go-slow convoys on the motorway again.

Some sites that may be of interest

Ways of cutting the cost of petrol
With the price of petrol rising due to volatile oil prices here are some tips to help you keep a rein on your monthly fuel budget.  Remember it's not just about cheaper petrol, it's about using less, making it go further or not using the car at all.