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Daily Record
Daily Record
Lifestyle
Graham Hiscott & Richard Blackledge & Ketsuda Phoutinane

Russia Ukraine war: how crisis affects UK life from petrol to cost of living

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine is reverberating worldwide as the world's nations attempt to de-escalate the crisis.

Missile strikes hit the Ukrainian capital of Kyev in the second day of the assault.

Boris Johnson yesterday launched the 'most punishing' sanctions on Russia, targeting oligarchs close to the Kremlin.

The US, EU, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan have also enacted more sanctions on Russia today since the start of President Vladimir Putin 's 'special military operation' yesterday.

For people in the UK, the financial impact of the Russia Ukraine war could amount to more price hikes during the cost of living crisis, The Mirror reported.

There are a number of ways the impact of the conflict could be felt close to home for UK families, The Mirror reports - here is everything you need to know.

Petrol prices

Petrol prices in the UK have jumped since Russia attacked Ukraine (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The cost of filling up has been getting ever more expensive recently, but the Ukraine crisis has brought the price of oil past $100 a barrel - an increase that will likely filter through to forecourts.

Across the country, the average price for a litre of unleaded petrol is just under £1.50, with diesel above that.

If oil keeps going up, experts have warned that petrol could reach £1.70 per litre - or even more.

Energy bills

Russia's attack on Ukraine could tighten UK household budgets and raise living costs (Getty Images)

Households have already been facing a hike in gas and electricity bills, as the price cap imposed by regulator Ofgem is soaring by more than 50 per cent in April to an average of nearly £2,000.

Wholesale energy costs, which make up the largest part of people's bills, were high before the Ukraine invasion and jumped again on Thursday when the crisis deepened.

The price cap is due to be reviewed again in October - but there is a risk it could go up before then.

Ofgem says "in-period adjustments" could be used in "exceptional circumstances" - it is believed that this could include an unexpected jump in the wholesale cost of gas.

Britain gets less than five per cent of its natural gas from Russia.

However, Europe imports about 40 per cent - so if it gets less from Russia it will need to replace it with gas from elsewhere, affecting the UK.

Food prices

It is possible that the conflict in Ukraine could have an impact on the cost of a loaf of bread, as Ukraine is the fifth largest exporter of wheat in the world.

In addition, manufacturers will have to deal with any extra expenditure linked to oil and energy, such as through transportation and production or the cost of packaging.

Other living costs

As higher oil, energy and food prices feed into overall inflation, prices for yet more things may creep up.

Last month the rate of inflation in the UK stood at 5.5 per cent, a near 30-year high, but it is thought the rate could go up to 8.2 per cent in spring.

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