'A full fuel tank is costing us £300 more'
BBCA haulier is calling for government support as rising fuel prices caused by conflict in the Middle East drive up operating costs.
Matt Prewett, network operations manager at Hawks Haulage in Leicester, said the cost of filling up a lorry with diesel had shot up by about £300 since March.
And while customers are "understanding" of the situation, he said Hawks has had no choice but to pass on some of the rising cost of doing business, and firms need the government to "step in".
The government told the BBC it has extended the five‑pence fuel duty cut twice, until September, and will continue to monitor the situation.
The cost of fuel has seen sharp increases globally since the US and Israel launched wide-ranging strikes on Iran on 28 February.
The RAC said the average price of petrol was up 25.5p a litre since the start of the war, while diesel had risen by 49p, with both at their most expensive level in more than three years.
It said petrol pump prices had risen for 43 consecutive days - although wholesale prices had begun to fall, predicting prices could begin to lower for customers.
Prewett said fuel costs were having a "massive effect" on day-to-day operations transporting goods across the country.
He said: "Before the increase, we were looking at between £400 and £500 pounds to fill a truck. Now we're close to £700 to fill a truck.
"A certain percentage of that we've had no choice but to pass on to the customers. We've taken a big hit ourselves, but we have had to pass some of these increases on.
"We do have some really loyal and understanding customers, and with the diesel increase being in the press, everybody's aware of it. Everybody notices it when they go and fill their own personal cars up, so they do understand that we have had to pass some of this increase on to them.
"Some tax relief on fuel prices would be a massive help. We need the government to step in and help out."
A government spokesperson said: "Motorists are paying more because of the war in Iran. This is not our war, and that is why we did not join it.
"We are determined to keep costs down for motorists. That's why we have extended the 5p fuel duty cut twice until September and will continue to monitor the situation."
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