Diesel is up 14.5p to 179p but the price remains below the high of 192p in April, the RAC said. "The wholesale price of petrol eased very slightly this week but is not enough to make a difference at the pumps." The increase in pump prices in the UK had come "at a very bad time", said Luke Bosdet, an AA spokesperson. "AA polling indicates that 20.5 million UK drivers will take to the road in the third week of the holiday season. Fuel retailers have in the past faced accusations of "rocket and feather" pricing – when rapid price increases are followed by slower price cuts.