British Drivers Face £2-a-Litre Diesel Prices

Diesel prices have gone up a lot.

The report says the average price rose by 54%.

It is now 196.28 pence a litre.

That is a big jump.

Who feels this most?

Small traders and drivers feel it most.

One man says half his pay goes to fuel now.

He uses his diesel car for work.

He carries tools to jobs in north London.

So this is not only about cars.

It affects work too.

Why are prices going up so much?

The report links this to a shortage in refining.

That means less fuel is being made ready to sell.

It also says wars are cutting supply.

About a fifth of world diesel supplies is gone.

A fifth is a lot.

And the price may still rise?

Yes, the report says prices may soon reach £2 a litre.

Some places are already above that mark.

For many small firms, this makes work more expensive.

They need fuel for transport, tools, and services.

So a higher price at the pump reaches into daily life.

Thanks, Ella.

Thanks, Daniel.

World leaders are talking about climate in New York.

Now we go to Liam, our LinguaWire correspondent for environment.

Thanks, Daniel. The talks are happening during Climate Week.

Leaders are there for the UN meeting too.

Some of them are putting climate first.

They are speaking after extreme weather in many places.

So the timing is not quiet at all.

What kinds of weather are they talking about?

The report mentions extreme heat, wildfires, and flash floods.

It also mentions a record-breaking El Niño.

These events have hit Europe, the US, Africa, and Asia.

That is a wide picture.

Who spoke at the opening and closing?

Australia’s prime minister gave the opening speech.

Iceland’s prime minister gave the closing remarks.

Both talked about climate damage in their own countries.

Both also talked about cleaner energy.

Iceland is often used as an example here.

What did their leader say about that change?

She said Iceland once burned imported oil for heat.

She said families had to pay high heating bills.

Then the country chose geothermal energy.

That is heat from under the ground.

That sounds like a big change for homes.

Did it happen quickly?

No, it took years and strong support.

The report says almost every Iceland home is heated this way.

More than 90% comes from geothermal energy.

So the meeting is not only talk.

It also shows real changes at home.

Exactly, Daniel.

Let’s look at three useful words from the first story.

diesel

It means fuel for some cars and trucks.

In the story, we heard, “Half my pay goes to fuel now.”

I put diesel in my van every week.

the litre

It means a small unit for liquid.

In the story, we heard, “It is 196.28 pence a litre.”

Milk is sold by the litre in many shops.

the shortage

It means there is not enough of something.

In the story, we heard, “The report links this to refining shortages.”

There is a shortage of seats on the train.

Prices are rising fast in Britain.

We use am, is, and are for facts and states.

Use am with I, is with he, she, it, and are with you, we, they.

I am ready. They are here.

“Diesel prices are rising fast in Britain.”

“They are speaking after extreme weather in many places.”

Repeat after me: Prices are rising fast in Britain.