Fuel and household energy spending rises a fifth in a fortnight – Lloyds Bank

Motorists queue for fuel at an Esso petrol station in Kent (Gareth Fuller/PA) (PA Wire)

September 24 saw the highest amount spent on fuel in a single day since Lloyds Bank records began, analysis of customers’ debit cards shows.

The peak fell the day after BP and Tesco closed some filling stations due to problems with fuel delivery.

Across the UK, people spent a fifth (20%) more at petrol stations in the past two weeks, compared with the two weeks before, the bank said.

After an initial incredible spike in late September where spending on fuel was the highest we’ve ever seen it, over the past week card payments at petrol stations have fallen, particularly in Northern and Western parts of the UK

Philip Robinson, Lloyds Bank

September 24 saw the bank’s debit card users spend 125% more on fuel than on the same day in 2019, and the highest amount since records began in April 2014.

The East Midlands saw the biggest increase in fuel spending in the last two weeks compared with the two before, up 24%, followed by the West Midlands (23%) and the South East (22%).

This was followed by Yorkshire and Humber and the East Midlands (both 20%). Wales and Scotland saw the lowest increases, at 14% and 15% respectively, followed by London and the South West on 19%.

However, the bank said there were signs that demand for fuel was easing. Week-on-week spending across the UK has fallen by almost a third (31%), with the number of transactions down 20%.

Only three regions, all in the South and East, saw drops of less than 30%. Londoners’ spending on fuel fell just 20%, the lowest of any region, followed by the South East (21%) and east of England (25%).

The amount spent on cards on household energy in the past two weeks also increased, by 24%, as a combination of colder weather and soaring energy prices gripped the UK.

Spending on energy is now 14% higher than the same two weeks in 2020, the bank’s figures show.

Philip Robinson, payments and fraud and financial crime director at Lloyds Bank, said: “After an initial incredible spike in late September where spending on fuel was the highest we’ve ever seen it, over the past week card payments at petrol stations have fallen, particularly in Northern and Western parts of the UK.

“However, household energy spend continues to increase, 13% in the last week alone, driven by rising prices and colder months.

“With this in mind, now is a very good time to sit down and reflect on your personal finances ahead of Christmas 2021.

“Budget effectively and give yourself a clear idea of what you can afford this festive season.”