THE government are facing calls to help drivers as the cost of filling the average family car hit £100 and prices at some forecourts hit the £2 per litre mark this week.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is being urged by motoring groups, including the RAC, to act and cut the cost to drivers.

Those filling up on Thursday (June 9) faced paying 182.31p per litre for unleaded petrol and 188.05p per litre on diesel as prices continued to rise.

Read more: The cheapest petrol stations in Darlington and County Durham

RAC fuel spokesperson Simon Williams said: “It’s important to remember that the Government is still benefitting from the high fuel prices by taking around 30p in VAT from every litre sold.

“This compares to just 25p before Russia invaded Ukraine. On top of this the Government is still collecting 53p fuel duty from every litre.

“With RAC research showing as many as eight-in-10 depend on their cars many must be wondering if any further financial support from the Government will be forthcoming.

Read more: BP garage on A1(M) charging more than £2 per litre

“March’s 5p fuel duty cut now looks paltry as wholesale petrol costs have already increased by five-times that amount since the Spring Statement (25p).

What makes up the price of a litre of fuel

The largest portion of the price comes from the wholesale cost of fuel, which depends on the price of crude oil.

According to RAC Fuel Watch, unleaded currently costs 93.89p per litre and diesel costs 93.81p per litre.

Almost half of the price of a litre of fuel, 46% for unleaded and 45% for diesel, goes to the government through fuel duty and tax.

The profit margin for retailers is less than 4%.

Earlier this week BP at Washington Services on the A1(M) was spotted charging over £2 per litre as some drivers branded it “disgraceful”.

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