Diesel has reached 199.9p per litre in Aberystwyth, as local MP Ben Lake joins calls for the UK Government to cut fuel costs for rural communities across Wales.

The Ceredigion Preseli MP is among four politicians who signed a letter to the Chancellor on 8 October, urging the government to extend the Rural Fuel Duty Relief Scheme to Wales and maintain the temporary 5p fuel duty reduction beyond December.

At 199.9p per litre, filling a typical 55-litre diesel tank costs £109.95. The MPs’ letter cites RAC estimates that diesel costs have risen by £31 per tank since the beginning of the war with Iran.

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The MPs argue that rural communities are particularly exposed to rising prices because many households depend on cars for work, education and healthcare. Higher transport costs are also affecting hauliers, bus operators, food distributors and other businesses.

The letter states: “Rural households across Wales often have no alternative mode of transport to travel to work, access education, or attend essential healthcare appointments, and are therefore paying a premium simply because of where they live.”

The existing Rural Fuel Duty Relief Scheme covers 21 remote areas in England and Scotland but excludes Wales. Alongside Ben Lake, the letter was also signed by Plaid Cymru MPs Liz Saville Roberts, Ann Davies and Llinos Medi.

The MPs have also asked the Chancellor to consider increasing fuel duty relief beyond 5p, warning that high prices could continue for months.

They are now awaiting a response from the UK Government.