Diesel prices hit a new record high today after continued rises over the past few days. The new record average price of diesel is 143.96ppl.

The rise comes as Chancellor George Osborne appears to have ruled out further fuel duty cuts in next month’s Budget as he claims to have already spent billions keeping prices down. He cut fuel duty by 1ppl in last year’s Budget and announced in the autumn statement that a scheduled 3ppl rise would be postponed until August.

His comments will be a blow to RMI Petrol’s campaign to reform fuel tax.

“It must be time for change and new thinking on fuel tax to provide a much-needed boost to our society and to the economy. The consequences of continuing to hit the motorist and consumer with this unfair tax are now clear to all,” said RMIP chairman Brian Madderson.