With the cost of fuel increasing several times over the last twelve months, significant numbers of Britons are worried that the pressures that their finances are under are also increasing.

In a study by moneysupermarket, it was shown that the cost of petrol has exceeded the one pound and ten pence per litre barrier. However, the price of oil was shown as hitting record levels as electricity and gas costs have gone up by 15 per cent since the start of 2008.

Research from the moneysupermarket show that two-thirds (66.9 per cent) of Consumers surveyed stated that they are "very worried" about how they will be able to manage their finances should energy prices continue to increase. However, it was reported that some some 30 per cent will be a "little concerned" about how their ability to get to grips with spending should the cost of fuel continue to increase.

Following on from facing increases in this area of financial demand, it may be that consumers develop other problems with their money management. This could see them struggling to make repayments on loans, credit and store cards, mortgages, domestic bills and travel costs.

On the other hand, just 0.6 per cent of those that took part in the study report that they are not worried about the prospect of fuel costs going up. An estimated 3.4 per cent think that they will be ok should this financial burden worsen, although they would prefer for this not to happen.

Tim Moss, head of debt for the price comparison site, said: "Brits are being stretched to breaking point as our poll of moneysupermarket users shows. Increasing fuel prices are a massive issue right now, in much the same way as they were during the fuel protests of eight years ago. Leading economists have been telling the government it can afford to drop the cost of petrol by nine pence per litre without having any effect on its bottom line. People are really starting to suffer and need help urgently."

He added that as the public is "powerless" to exert any control over the amount of tax that the government places on fuel, it is important for consumers to get to grips with the spending areas which they do have control over. Mr Moss asserted that it is vital consumers steal the time to arrange their finances properly and recognise what areas of expenditure that they have. By doing this, he claimed that they should concentrate on contributions towards essential areas of spending - domestic bills and mortgage or rent costs for instance - a priority. Meanwhile, less significant demands on current expenditure, such as magazine subscriptions, may need to be sacrificed.

Additionally, it was reported that those consumers who feel that they are unable to get to grips with their finances by themselves should obtain independent guidance from the likes of the Buyer Credit Counselling Service and Citizens Advice.

Those Britons who are worried about their ability to cope in the face of increasing fuel costs, might wish to consider taking out a consolidation loan. In doing this, borrowers could find that they are able to merge numerous constraints on their current expenditure at once leaving them with low-cost monthly repayments. Such a loan could turn out to be particularly useful for a lot of after a study by uSwitch unveiled that some 4.5 million Britons are currently struggling to heat their properties.

Mark Dawson writes for the Loan Arrangers. Where visitors can compare cheap loans online, and apply for the best rate personal loans, and debt consolidation loans available to them.