Burnham was slammed for his social media post. (Image: Getty)
Andy Burnham has hit back after being torn apart following a social media post announcing that petrol and diesel prices would now be displayed on Google Maps. The Prime Minister took to X to confirm the move, which is powered by the government’s Fuel Finder scheme, but was met with a wave of criticism. Most social media users called on him to take stronger action to stop surging fuel prices.
Replying to one critic, the Prime Minister wrote: “I know this isn’t a silver bullet. It might help some people find cheaper fuel, but it doesn’t mean that’s all we’re doing to help people with the cost of living.
“We’re cutting VAT on electricity bills. Capping bus fares at £2 in England. Giving disabled people 24/7 free bus travel. Making it easier to cancel subscriptions. Cutting business rates for pubs, clubs and music venues. Stopping schools from demanding endless expensive branded uniforms.
“Ensuring if your train is cancelled, you can use your ticket on other operators free of charge. Fuel duty is staying frozen to the end of the year. Yes, on their own, I accept that these things don’t seem like much when people’s lives have gotten harder.
“There’s a lot still to do. But I won’t shy away from the big issues either. It’s why I made announcements last week on more public control of water, energy, and housing, to make the basics better for people long-term.
“Together, these changes add up, and no matter how small it may seem, I will pull every single lever I can to help people, whenever I can.”
Petrol pump prices have surged. (Image: Getty)
Burnham’s move to show petrol prices on Google Maps is hoped to put pressure on retailers to drop their prices. Figures show that a similar in move in Germany saw petrol prices drop by 3% and diesel prices by 2%.
Fuel prices have surged to record highs across the UK. Diesel has surpassed the £2 per litre mark while petrol is also averaging around 175p per litre, breaking previous records set during the 2022 energy crisis.
The rise in prices is being driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The US-Iran conflict has disrupted oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, pushing prices over $100 a barrel.
As the UK imports 55% of its diesel, we are heavily exposed to supply chain crunches. According to the RAC, an erage family car now costs £110 to fill with diesel and roughly £96 with petrol. This is a 40% rise compared to when the war began.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “Households will be tightening the purse strings, while businesses may have no option but to pass these additional costs onto customers.”
He further warned: “Additionally, US threats of a diesel export ban could cause prices to rise even further. Once again, it’s ordinary people who are left footing the bill for events far away, as the UK remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels and imported diesel.”
The Prime Minister confirmed petrol and diesel prices would now be displayed on Google Maps. (Image: Getty)
“Andy, this has got to be a joke”
In his original post on Thursday morning (October 8), the Prime Minister said he “won’t accept that there’s nothing I can do to help” regarding surging fuel prices. He added: “That’s why from today, you’ll be able to see petrol and diesel prices on Google Maps, compare nearby stations and find the cheapest option before you fill up.”
However, the post has been slammed by social media users who continue to urge him to do more. James Melville, who describes himself as a “media commentator” in his bio, dubbed the post “unbelievable”.
He continued: “The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom has offered his solution to rising petrol and gas prices by giving advice to use Google maps to find the cheapest petrol stations. Cutting fuel duty might be a bit more helpful to millions of cash strapped motorists.”
I know this isn’t a silver bullet. It might help some people find cheaper fuel, but it doesn’t mean that’s all we’re doing to help people with the cost of living. We’re cutting VAT on electricity bills. Capping bus fares at £2 in England. Giving disabled people 24/7 free bus travel. Making it easier to cancel subscriptions. Cutting business rates for pubs, clubs and music venues. Stopping schools from demanding endless expensive branded uniforms. Ensuring if your train is cancelled, you can use your ticket on other operators free of charge. Fuel duty is staying frozen to the end of the year. Yes, on their own, I accept that these things don’t seem like much when people’s lives have gotten harder. There’s a lot still to do. But I won’t shy away from the big issues either. It’s why I made announcements last week on more public control of water, energy, and housing, to make the basics better for people long-term. Together, these changes add up, and no matter how small it may seem, I will pull every single lever I can to help people, whenever I can.
— Andy Burnham (@andyburnham) October 8, 2026
Meanwhile, a page named @GrumpyBlokeHQ, added: “People can’t afford petrol, and your grand solution is to tell them where to find a cheaper pump on Google Maps? What’s next? A weather app for pensioners who can’t afford heating? How about making life cheaper instead of giving us bloody directions to the misery?”
@CutMyTaxUK wrote: “Andy, this has got to be a joke. Around half of the cost of petrol is composed of tax that you impose. At the current average UK petrol price of 174.7p per litre, around £23.49 of every £50 spent on petrol goes to your Government in tax – 47% of the total bill. If you were serious about cutting the cost of fuel, you would reduce the tax.”
@kathrynhall_ put: “So folk have to look at Google Maps for the cheapest filling station, then drive past their local one that’s more expensive than one several miles away, using more fuel to get there and get back.”
@axlbulldog1 said: “Really! No cut in fuel duty! Something you have the power to do!”
@Hazzy2_0 added: “I had to double check this wasn’t a parody account, because what is the actual point in this nonsense? The prices have gone up everywhere, driving 10miles out your way to save 1p a litre isn’t going to help anybody.”
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