Page "Fuel protests in the United Kingdom" Paragraph 4

By 2000, tax accounted for 81. 5 % of the total cost of unleaded petrol, up from 72. 8 % in 1993.

Fuel prices in the UK had risen from being amongst the cheapest in Europe to being the most expensive in the same time frame.

The protesters said that higher transport costs in the UK were making it difficult for haulage industry to remain competitive.

The worldwide price of oil had increased from $ 10 to $ 30 a barrel, the highest level in 10 years.

Drivers in the UK were now paying an average of 80 pence a litre for unleaded and 80. 8p for diesel.

The government had already abandoned the fuel tax escalator in early 2000.