Giving up the car and dreading the future - what surging petrol and diesel prices mean for people on the streets of Manchester

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Petrol and diesel prices are surging to record highs due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The cost of filling up, already high as demand returned after global lockdowns,is rising due to soaring oil costs, with Russia being the world's second-biggest producer of crude oil. As cash-strapped Brits already struggle, post lock-down, with the soaring cost of living and static salaries, the fuel spike complicates life further. READ MORE: UK hits almost 400 Russian politicians with sanctions in crackdown over Ukraine war The UK government has said it will 'phase out' Russian oil imports.

And since Russia has been supplying a third of Europe's oil, there are fears supplies could be limited. M.E.N reporter Louisa Gregson spoke to motorists and job seekers in north Manchester about the impact rising fuel prices was having on their lives. Haider Ijaz is 25, lives in Manchester and is an SEO Executive at Hakim Group in Darwen.

He has stopped driving to work in his car altogether and uses his motorbike instead to cut down on costs. He said: "Currently, travelling into work with the rising cost of fuel is not worth it - Shell near my place was at 1.77 for diesel, that's about 25p more than what I paid a few weeks ago. "Adding the increase in insurance prices along with the ever-rising fuel costs, simply coming to work via car is not worth the expense.

I drive a Volvo 40 which has decent miles per gallon I'd say, I average about 49-52. "I am currently now taking the train if the weather is bad, but if the weather allows for it, with no strong wind or rain, I take my bike into the office, it is a little 125 Honda, but a lot cheaper to fuel up when compared to my car. "The only issue with the bike is I currently only hold an L