Taxis, farmers and the fuel crisis in the south

Taxis, farmers and the fuel crisis in the southJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleCurtis LancasterSouth of EnglandPerry McMillanPerry McMillan said taxi drivers are "biting the bullet" of the rising costsFuel prices have soared across the UK since the US-Israel war with Iran began on 28 February.Drivers in the south of England have felt the financial strain. Of those working in industries that rely on petrol and diesel, many have said the increased costs to their businesses will have to inevitably be passed on to consumers.The average price of petrol is up 25p a litre since the start of the war, while diesel has risen by 48p - the most expensive levels in more than three years.From farmers to taxi drivers, here is how the conflict has affected the region.Jim HooperFarmer Jim Hooper says rising costs will have to be passed on to the customerThere was some hope when the US and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire agreement, leading to a drop in oil prices. However they jumped back up after peace talks broke down and US president Donald Trump ordered the blockading of Iranian ports.James Cossins who runs a dairy, beef and arable farm in Tarrant Rawston, near Blandford, Dorset, said prices had doubled for the 200-300 litres of diesel he needed each day to run his tractors."It's a busy time of year and we're sowing crops, putting fertiliser out on crops and it's obviously increased the cost of producing what we do," he said.Jim Hooper, from Berry Hill Farm in Throop, also in Dorset, said the rising fuel costs would eventually have to be passed on to the customer.He said this time of year is known as the "hungry gap" for vegetable growers like him, when stored winter vegetables begin to run out and new summer crops were not yet ready to harvest.He said it was a "worry" that his product has not been at its best and he had not yet been able to justify increasing his prices.Getty ImagesThere was hope when the US a...