SCOTLAND has the highest petrol prices in the UK. New figures show that in Scotland the lowest pump price is higher than the national average for the entire UK.

The average available price of fuel in Scotland is estimated at 121.6p per litre, well above the overall UK average of 116.4p per litre. The highest price in Scotland is 130.9p per litre. The lowest available price is 118.9p.

Figures also show that Scotland offers motorists fewer filling stations, meaning shopping around for cheaper fuel is more difficult than in the rest of the UK. In some areas, including parts of Perthshire and South Lanarkshire, there is just one other petrol station within a five-mile radius - leaving drivers in Scotland with little option other than to fill up on overpriced fuel.

The research comes from the breakdown service, Green Flag.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The UK Government has the ability to ease the burden on motorists, as two-thirds of petrol and diesel prices are comprised of the taxes they levy.

“This increase on motorists comes at a time when Scottish households are already experiencing increasing squeezes on their spending power, as a result of rising inflation following the EU referendum.

“This is of particular concern for our rural and island communities, who face the highest fuel costs. The UK Government should look to further expand existing rural fuel rebate scheme to lower the burden in these areas, and reduce disparity with other parts of the country.”