Welcome to No10.co.uk — a plain-English reference for anyone trying to make sense of who runs the country, how Westminster actually works, and how the decisions made in Downing Street affect what you pay at the petrol pump.
We're independent, non-partisan, and we keep things short. No spin, no party line, just the facts you need.
The United Kingdom has had a Prime Minister since 1721, when Sir Robert Walpole became the first to hold what we now recognise as the role. Since then, more than 55 men and women have served. Below are the most recent holders of the office.
| Prime Minister | Party | Took Office | Left Office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sir Keir Starmer | Labour | 5 July 2024 | Incumbent |
| Rishi Sunak | Conservative | 25 October 2022 | 5 July 2024 |
| Liz Truss | Conservative | 6 September 2022 | 25 October 2022 |
| Boris Johnson | Conservative | 24 July 2019 | 6 September 2022 |
| Theresa May | Conservative | 13 July 2016 | 24 July 2019 |
| David Cameron | Conservative | 11 May 2010 | 13 July 2016 |
| Gordon Brown | Labour | 27 June 2007 | 11 May 2010 |
| Tony Blair | Labour | 2 May 1997 | 27 June 2007 |
| Sir John Major | Conservative | 28 November 1990 | 2 May 1997 |
| Margaret Thatcher | Conservative | 4 May 1979 | 28 November 1990 |
The Prime Minister is the head of His Majesty's Government. They are not elected directly by voters — instead, the monarch invites the leader of the party (or coalition) most likely to command a majority in the House of Commons to form a government.
The PM's main jobs include:
10 Downing Street has been the official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury — a title held by every PM — since 1735, when King George II gave it to Sir Robert Walpole. The famous black door, the brass letterbox engraved "First Lord of the Treasury," and the lion's-head knocker are among the most recognised features of British political life.
The UK has a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy. Power is split across several institutions, with the Prime Minister and Cabinet at the heart of the executive branch.
King Charles III is the Head of State. The role is largely ceremonial — the monarch grants Royal Assent to laws and appoints the Prime Minister.
Head of Government. Leads the Cabinet, sets policy direction, and is accountable to Parliament.
Around 20-25 senior ministers who run the major government departments and take collective decisions on policy.
650 elected MPs who debate and pass laws, scrutinise government, and approve taxation and spending.
The unelected upper chamber. Around 800 peers review and revise legislation, though they cannot block money bills.
Politically neutral officials who carry out government policy, regardless of which party is in power.
The UK has two major fiscal events each year. The Autumn Budget (usually late October or November) is the big one — the Chancellor of the Exchequer sets out tax and spending plans for the year ahead. The Spring Statement (typically March) is a lighter update on the economy, though Chancellors have used it to announce major changes too.
Both events directly affect household bills, including the cost of filling up your car — which brings us to the most contentious tax in modern British politics.
Fuel duty is the single tax most likely to make a British driver swear at the news. It's been frozen for 16 years — until now. The freeze is being unwound through 2026/27, bringing the first real rise in pump prices since 2011.
per litre on standard petrol and diesel.
Source: HM Treasury / Office for Budget ResponsibilityFuel duty is a flat tax charged on every litre of road fuel sold in the UK. Unlike VAT, it doesn't change with the price of oil — it's a fixed amount per litre, set by the Chancellor and collected by HMRC.
On top of fuel duty, VAT at 20% is then added to the entire price (including the duty). Yes — you pay tax on top of tax. Between the two, roughly 50% of what you pay at the pump goes to the government.
For the current UK average petrol price of 158.0p per litre, the breakdown looks like this:
The retailer's margin is typically just a few pence per litre. Your local petrol station isn't making a fortune on each fill — most of what you hand over goes straight to the Exchequer.
Pump prices vary by up to 20p per litre between stations — even on the same road. Our sister site compares live prices at thousands of UK forecourts.
Compare Petrol Prices »The Chancellor of the Exchequer sets fuel duty rates as part of the Budget. The rate has historically risen each year in line with inflation (the so-called "fuel duty escalator"), but the political cost of those rises has led successive governments to freeze or cut the duty instead.
In short: fear of voter backlash. Motoring is a major household cost, and any rise in fuel duty is felt immediately at the pump. The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition introduced the freeze in 2011, and every subsequent Chancellor — Conservative and Labour — has chosen to extend it. In 2022, in response to the energy crisis triggered by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a temporary 5p cut was added on top of the freeze.
The freeze is ending. The temporary 5p cut expires on 22 March 2026, and the rate will then rise in three stages:
By March 2027, filling a 55-litre tank will cost around £2.75 more than today. Inflation-linked annual rises are planned from April 2027 onwards.
Roughly £24 billion a year — making it one of the largest sources of tax revenue for the Treasury, alongside income tax, National Insurance and VAT. It funds general government spending, not roads specifically (despite what many drivers assume).
With fuel duty rising in stages through 2026/27, smart drivers are already using price comparison tools to find the cheapest forecourts on their route. Free to use, no sign-up needed.
Check Today's Prices »The story of fuel duty over the last 30 years is a story of Chancellors trying — and mostly failing — to make drivers pay more.
Conservative Chancellor Norman Lamont introduces the "fuel duty escalator" — automatic above-inflation rises designed to discourage driving and cut emissions.
The fuel protests bring Britain to a standstill. Hauliers and farmers blockade refineries; petrol stations run dry within days. The Labour government, under Tony Blair, freezes the escalator.
Chancellor George Osborne cuts fuel duty by 1p in his Budget and scraps the escalator. The rate is set at 57.95p per litre and frozen indefinitely.
Every Chancellor — Osborne, Hammond, Javid, Sunak — extends the freeze. The cumulative real-terms saving for drivers grows year on year.
In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, pump prices approach £2 per litre. Chancellor Rishi Sunak announces an emergency 5p cut, bringing duty down to 52.95p.
The "temporary" 5p cut is extended three times — first by Jeremy Hunt, then by Rachel Reeves under Labour.
The Labour government announces the end of the freeze. The 5p cut will be reversed in three stages over 2026/27, and inflation-linked rises will return from April 2027.
The first fuel duty rise in 16 years takes effect — 1p added, with two further 2p rises to follow.