Fuel costs double for Essex & Herts Air Ambulance

Pressure is building on an air ambulance charity after its monthly fuel bill doubled to £25,000.

Essex and Herts Air Ambulance said its jet fuel bill had risen from 52p per litre in October to £1.03.

Chief executive Mark Jarman-Howe said it was putting "significant" pressure on the service, but ruled out having to make any immediate cuts to its provision.

The charity attends about 2,500 incidents a year, at a monthly cost of £1m, and its helicopters burn about 375 litres of fuel each hour they are airborne.

It is based at airfields in North Weald and Earls Colne, both in Essex.

Jarman-Howe said of the fuel prices: "It's something we need to think about really seriously, because it's a significant cost pressure."

He said the charity's financial reserves put it on steady footing in the immediate future, but warned against complacency.

"If this goes on for months or for more than a year, then I think we'll have to obviously take a view on that in due course," the chief executive added.

"But certainly the service is not at threat at the moment.

"We continue to be available 24-7 and we will fall back on our reserves as much as we need to in the short to medium term."

Fuel prices surged when the US-Israel war with Iran began in February, and motorists have seen steep rises at the pumps too.

Air ambulances across the country, including Essex and Herts, have called on the government to ensure they are included in any fuel prioritisation should shortages occur.

They said any disruption to availability or affordability would have a direct impact on reaching patients. The East Anglian Air Ambulance has said it fears patients could be put in danger.

The government told the BBC on Sunday: "The UK remains well stocked for all fuel types.

"We continue to work with suppliers to make sure people keep moving and businesses are supported while the conflict is ongoing."

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