UK has witnessed the highest level of petrol prices in 2009. The sharp price rise in UK was also driven by the weakening of pound.

The value of pound has gone down from $2 to $1.50.

The crude price, which is already surging, is expected to touch a new level with the fuel duty going up by 7p along with 17.5 per cent VAT. Analysts have forecasted more than $100 a barrel rise.

A look at the petrol prices shows that the average price across the country is 119.9p a litre for unleaded and 116.6p a litre for diesel. This is enough to leave many households struggling with their budgets.

For the consumer, the situation is getting from bad to worse.

Take for example, the newly registered car owners. They face higher cost than the average motorist due to the introduction of higher tax from this month onwards.

The higher petrol prices would put adverse effect on the consumer goods too, as the overall motoring cost would go up. With consumers still recovering from high unemployment and recession, such surging prices are just digging the wound deeper.