the war in ukraine is expected to have a dramatic effect on the cost of living here in the uk, in particular adding to energy prices. the rac says the average petrol price is now nearly £1.60 a litre for the first time ever. our transport correspondent katy austin reports from sutton coldfield. home carer sharon can clock up a0 miles a day for work, in her own car. she pays for the fuel to get to herfirstjob of the morning, the business pays 35 pence per mile for the rest, but prices at the forecourt have got a lot more expensive. because the petrol is rising, i m putting more out of my own pocket into my car. as before, it was even. so it covered it, basically. yes, but now it doesn t. everything else is going up as well and there s nothing coming in extra. the business sharon works for is trying to reduce the miles
businesses warn increased transport costs mean consumers will notice the goods they buy go up further in price. this wholesaler distributes food and drink to cafes, restaurants and schools across the country, it bulk buys diesel for lorries. 0ur fuel bill has increased dramatically this week, at least between 10 and £15,000, and that increase cannot be absorbed by us, we have to look at ways to pass it on to the customers. food and drink will become more expensive, not only at home but out of home. the institute for fiscal studies says the chancellor will have to decide whether to do more to protect households from the effects of rising energy prices at the spring statement. the treasury said the government was already providing £20 billion to help with the cost of living. sharon will carry on doing thejob she loves, but finds filling up is leaving her wallet increasingly empty. katy austin, bbc news.