Rocket fuel
WHEN Russia’s invasion of Ukraine triggered a pinch point in global gas and oil markets, it was inevitable UK drivers would end up paying more at the pumps.
What the public WON’T swallow, though, is rampant profiteering at a time of national hardship.
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A report by campaigners FairFuelUK shows how grotesque this cash grab by oil giants is, with petrol profits rocketing from 8.2p a litre in 2016 to 18.6p now.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak did his bit with a 5p cut in fuel duty, but that is yet to be passed on to consumers.
A windfall tax should not normally be the answer.
It merely kicks the jerry can down the road by deterring long-term investment in energy infrastructure.
And yet oil barons seem almost to be taunting the Government into such a crowd-pleasing step, with obscenely bloated profits, cash siphoned off to double execs’ multi-million-pound salaries and a devil-may-care attitude.
In a moment of Ratner-style hubris, BP chief Bernard Looney even boasted his company was a “cash machine”.
Such excess and complacency only adds to the head of steam behind calls for a Pumpwatch fuel price regulator.
Tory MP Craig Mackinlay says oil giants are taking consumers for a ride.
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If only they would. Then perhaps they’d be the ones footing the rip-off petrol bill.
Orbit special
CONGRATULATIONS to Sam Ryder for his out-of-this-world performance of Space Man, which propelled the UK to second place at Eurovision on Saturday.
Without his stellar vocals, hard work and easy charm, it is unlikely we would have done quite so well.
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At the same time, it would be naive to overlook that Eurovision voting is as much about politics as artistry.
So what changed this year to produce the biggest year-on-year jump in places the song contest has ever seen?
Might it be recognition — much though Boris Johnson’s critics may be loath to admit it — of the UK’s leading role in helping Ukraine stand up to Putin?
In any event, it is proof that being a strong, independent UK need not mean being scorned by Europe.
As for Ukraine, who romped to victory on a tide of public sympathy, who could begrudge them their moment of joy?
Say Ipanem-aah
WE knew provision of NHS dentists was atrocious, with vast swathes of England and Wales now rendered “dental deserts”.
But for it to be far cheaper to fly out to Brazil for a check-up than to go private in the UK — as one Yorkshire family has found — is a real jaw-dropper.
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Throw in sun, samba and Ipanema beach, and we certainly see the appeal.
Although one look at Brazilian footie legend Ronaldinho’s gnashers, and you might have second thoughts.
