Experts are urging drivers to ensure they are prepared for potential price rises over the coming weeks and months as the Government prepares to announce its Budget.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is preparing to outline the Government’s proposals for tax changes and other financial measures later this month on Wednesday, November 26.

Many are expecting the Chancellor to announce a change regarding the rate of fuel duty, which has remained frozen since 2011.

Over the last three years, successive Conservative and Labour Governments have also extended a 5p per litre cut to fuel duty following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

This was done to protect British drivers from any hikes to the price of oil across the globe following the invasion, although the 5p cut will expire on March 22 next year.

As the Chancellor scrambles to address a mounting financial black hole, fuel duty could be targeted to raise revenue for the Government at the expense of petrol and diesel drivers.

If the 5p cut is to be removed and the rate unfrozen, the rate of fuel duty is expected to rise in line with inflation, potentially forcing up unleaded and diesel prices over the coming months.

A leading expert is now calling on drivers to ensure they are prepared for such a change by ensuring they know which fuel would best suit their vehicle.

Matthew Briggs, CEO of Right Fuel Card, pointed to supermarket fuel stations, which have held the reputation as being the cheapest among major retailers.

He said this was “completely true”, with RAC Fuel Watch showing that the average price at Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco stores is 132p.

This is 3.33p cheaper than the UK-wide average for unleaded, while the average diesel price at supermarkets is 3.51p less expensive than the UK average.

While other retailers can cost less, such as Essar (129.9p), on the whole, competition forces the “Big 4” supermarkets to slash prices, especially given that their forecourts can be found around the UK.

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Mr Briggs said: “Of course, these fuel prices vary nationwide depending on the location, but the critical advice is to avoid motorway fill-ups due to their excessively high prices.

“Petrol stations capitalise on the fact that when you’re on the motorway and running low on fuel, you’re compelled to pay regardless of the cost.”

While no changes are forecast to current fuel prices, motorway service stations are charging more than 23p more than the UK average.

When travelling on the motorway, drivers have the misfortune of paying an average of 158.2p for unleaded and a staggering 168.11p for diesel.

Although Chancellor Rachel Reeves could announce changes to the rate of fuel duty, which may hike the price of petrol and diesel, a Government scheme could stabilise costs and even bring them down.

The Fuel Finder scheme is expected to launch by the end of the year, and will require petrol stations to publish live fuel price data and the unavailability of fuel within 30 minutes of a change.

Modelling by the Government suggests that drivers could save between one and six pence per litre once the scheme is rolled out.

A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesperson told GB News: “Fuel Finder is on track. Retailers must give drivers a fair price for their fuel, by passing on any savings at the pump. Fuel Finder will ensure retailers share real-time prices, making them more accountable to drivers.”