The government has pledged to sever the final energy ties with Moscow by banning Russian diesel and jet fuel imports before the new year, delivering a sharp blow to the Kremlin’s war chest but raising fresh questions about the cost for British households and businesses already battered by inflation. Trade Minister Ranil Jayawardena confirmed the ban, stating that the move ‘restores our energy sovereignty’ and aligns with the UK’s commitment to isolate Putin’s regime. The prohibition covers refined oil products that have so far escaped previous sanctions, and will take effect on December 31st.
For working families in the North, the immediate worry is not geopolitics but the price of heating oil and diesel at the pump. Fuel poverty campaigners warn that while the impact on global markets may be modest, any disruption to supply chains could see prices spike during the coldest months. Average diesel prices already hover above 180p per litre, and hauliers have warned that further rises would hit food deliveries and construction. ‘The government needs to show us the maths,’ said Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite the union. ‘Banning Russian diesel is right in principle, but not if it means working people pay the price through higher bills and job losses.’
The ban covers a relatively small share of UK consumption: around 8% of diesel and 6% of jet fuel came from Russia last year. But the timing is precarious. Refineries across Europe have been scrambling for alternative supplies since the EU imposed its own embargo, and global refining capacity is stretched. Norway, the Middle East and the US are likely fill gaps, but at a premium. The government insists it has secured ‘replacement capacity’ through new trade deals, but has not published detailed forecasts.
For aviation, the ban threatens to raise ticket prices at a time when airlines are already struggling with staff shortages and high fuel costs. Ryanair and easyJet have warned that the loss of Russian jet fuel could add ‘tens of millions’ in extra costs, though both said they expect to avoid cancellations. Smaller regional airports, like those in Teesside and Liverpool, could face tighter margins.
The announcement was welcomed by Ukraine’s allies and by environmental groups, who argue that cutting off Russian fossil fuels accelerates the transition to renewables. ‘This is a step toward energy independence and a cleaner future,’ said Greenpeace’s chief scientist. But the Treasury acknowledges that in the short term, the shift may push up inflation by a fraction of a percentage point.
Labour MPs have called for a ‘cost-of-living shield’ to protect the most vulnerable, including a temporary reduction in fuel duty and expanded winter fuel payments. The government says it is ‘monitoring the situation’ and will act if needed.
For the North, where diesel is the lifeblood of farming, logistics and manufacturing, the clock is ticking. ‘We need more than warm words from Westminster,’ said Janet Murgatroyd, who runs a small haulage firm in Bradford. ‘If diesel goes up again, it’s not just my business, it’s everyone’s shopping bill.’
