Fuel prices are the most expensive they have been for a year, causing debt management worries for many people.

Following supermarkets raising their prices, the cost of petrol and diesel is now as high (if not higher) than oil giants such as Shell and Esso.

For the first time in over a year the average cost of diesel has shot through the £5 a gallon barrier, with petrol only marginally behind, according to motorist group the AA.

Over th elast month, supermarket chains like Tesco, Sainsbury and Asda – who are normally applauded for keeping fuel costs down – have raised the average price of a litre by by more than 4p.

This has meant that the monthly fuel cost of a car is now £3.98 higher for petrol cars and £3.26 for diesel, causing further strain on already overstretched household finances.

Ivan Cooper, Chairman at debt advice experts Chiltern, said: “Households have been under increasing pressure financially, as the recession and growing unemployment take hold.

“This impacts how much money is available each month, which can often mean that some loans and credit card debt payments aren’t met.

“Seeking debt advice from a reputable provider – like Hamilton Locke, The Debt People or Chiltern – can usually prevent this from happening, as an adequate budget is calculated and debts are prioritised accordingly.”

For immediate debt advice, or to learn more about a full range of professional debt management programmes, please call the number at the top of this page.