The data from globalpetrolprices.com, published on 22 June, covers 170 countries and finds that the UK average price per litre is £1.90 compared to the average price of diesel around the world of £1.00 per litre.

In response, Steve Clarke, group marketing manager of The Fuelcard People, said: “There is no mystery to the UK’s embarrassing position. Each nation buys oil on the same global markets, but then imposes its own taxes. The price on our forecourts includes 59% for diesel, 61% for petrol. Having to pay the highest fuel duty in Europe is crippling our economy and hindering the recovery.”

He put the high rates of duty into context and offered a warning to UK businesses.

“Even firms in notoriously expensive places like Switzerland, Luxembourg and Monaco pay less for petrol. Everyone in the world pays less than our companies have to pay for diesel. With fuel being a major cost for any business using the roads, we are trying to compete internationally on a very uneven playing field. With a deficit to clear and no room for manoeuvre, nobody should expect the Government to be reducing fuel duty in the foreseeable future.”