Diesel price protest hits London
29 April 2008
- Hauliers and farmers take action
- Want to show effects of price hikes
- Meanwhile, oil firms announce record profits
Hauliers and farmers are to stage a protest in central London tomorrow about the high cost of diesel.
The action is supported by Unite, the union that instigated the 48-hour strike at the Ineos refinery at Grangemouth, which ended last night.
Lorries will travel in convoys to Marble Arch in central London.
One vehicle contains a coffin, which is intended to represent the demise of the UK road haulage industry as a result of diesel price hikes.
Diesel prices have risen by 30% over the last 12 months and by 16.2p a litre since the start of the year.
According to the AA, the average price of a litre of unleaded petrol is now 109.8p, with diesel at a record 119.8p a litre.
Shell and BP profits
Meanwhile, Royal Dutch Shell and BP, Europe's two largest oil companies, have announced a jump in first-quarter profits thanks to record crude oil prices and higher natural gas prices.
Shell's first quarter profits rose by 12% from last year's £3.5bn to £3.9bn, while BP's profit soared to £3.3bn from £2.2bn in the same period - a 49% rise.
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