Question 21: UK petrol price jumps above £1.50 as oil costs rise Fuel prices have hit record highs in the UK as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues to affect global oil prices. The average price of petrol jumped to £1.51 a litre, while diesel increased to £1.55. The cost of filling a 55-litre family car with unleaded petrol is now £83, or £85 for diesel. The price of Brent crude oil rose by 4.6% to $102 barrel after Western nations imposed new sanctions on Russia one the world's largest energy producers. -

Microeconomics: Principles & Policy
14th Edition
ISBN:9781337794992
Author:William J. Baumol, Alan S. Blinder, John L. Solow
Publisher:William J. Baumol, Alan S. Blinder, John L. Solow
Chapter6: Demand And Elasticity
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Question 21:
UK petrol price jumps above £1.50 as oil costs rise
Fuel prices have hit record highs in the UK as Russia's invasion of Ukraine
continues to affect global oil prices.
The average price of petrol jumped to £1.51 a litre, while diesel increased to
£1.55. The cost of filling a 55-litre family car with unleaded petrol is now £83,
or £85 for diesel.
The price of Brent crude oil rose by 4.6% to $102 barrel after Western nations
imposed new sanctions on Russia - one the world's largest energy producers.
Petrol price movements in the UK are mainly determined by the price of crude
oil, and the exchange rate between the dollar and the pound, because fuel,
like oil is traded in dollars. Petrol also has a relatively low price elasticity of
demand.
UK consumers are already paying a high price for fuel, with demand surging
following the easing of Covid restrictions. Steve Irwin, from fuel consultancy
firm Portland, told the BBC that prices had also risen due to concerns over oil
and gas pipelines which travel through Ukraine and carry Russian products. He
said there was "potential for enormous supply disruption"
Source: The BBC [Adapted extract] - March 2022
(a) Explain the term price elasticity of demand.
(b) Explain using a diagram and the information in the article, why fuel
prices in the UK have risen.
(c) Analyse the reasons why petrol may have a relatively low price elasticity
of demand.
(d) Evaluate the extent which rising fuel prices in the economy might affect
living standards.
Transcribed Image Text:Question 21: UK petrol price jumps above £1.50 as oil costs rise Fuel prices have hit record highs in the UK as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues to affect global oil prices. The average price of petrol jumped to £1.51 a litre, while diesel increased to £1.55. The cost of filling a 55-litre family car with unleaded petrol is now £83, or £85 for diesel. The price of Brent crude oil rose by 4.6% to $102 barrel after Western nations imposed new sanctions on Russia - one the world's largest energy producers. Petrol price movements in the UK are mainly determined by the price of crude oil, and the exchange rate between the dollar and the pound, because fuel, like oil is traded in dollars. Petrol also has a relatively low price elasticity of demand. UK consumers are already paying a high price for fuel, with demand surging following the easing of Covid restrictions. Steve Irwin, from fuel consultancy firm Portland, told the BBC that prices had also risen due to concerns over oil and gas pipelines which travel through Ukraine and carry Russian products. He said there was "potential for enormous supply disruption" Source: The BBC [Adapted extract] - March 2022 (a) Explain the term price elasticity of demand. (b) Explain using a diagram and the information in the article, why fuel prices in the UK have risen. (c) Analyse the reasons why petrol may have a relatively low price elasticity of demand. (d) Evaluate the extent which rising fuel prices in the economy might affect living standards.
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