The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has issued a warning to UK consumers that the price of goods may increase in the months ahead as a result of an expected rise in the cost of fuel.

RHA chief executive Richard Burnett said: "Road haulage operators have to pass any additional fuel costs on to the customer – they have no choice.

"An increase in the price of fuel will have a damaging effect on the price of goods and of course the industry that plays such a key role in their delivery."

The warning follows the news that motorists could be hit with a sharp rise in the price of both petrol and diesel in the wake of a new agreement between members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to limit oil production from January 1st.

It follows chancellor Philip Hammond's announcement in last month's Autumn Statement that fuel duty in the UK will remain frozen for a seventh consecutive year in 2017.

It was a move applauded by UK road users and businesses at the time, but which now may have a limited impact on the overall price of fuel.

Ben Robb, brand manager at The Fuelcard People, adds: "Fuel costs are one of the biggest expenses within the UK haulage sector.

"It is therefore likely that a rise in these costs will impact the whole of the country, from the smallest business that receives deliveries by LCV to the largest corporations that manage extensive fleets of their own."