FUEL DUTY must remain frozen at the Autumn budget, to help keep costs down for local families and businesses.
That’s the view of local Member of Parliament David Mundell, who has joined more than 70 other MPs in writing to the Chancellor to urge her to consider the impact of a rise in fuel duty on low-income families, small businesses and the logistics industry.
Concerns have been rising over recent weeks that the fuel duty freeze which has been in place for the past 14 years may be ended by the new Labour government, with some forecasts suggesting it could rise by up to 7p a litre after the Budget.
Commenting, David Mundell MP said: “Fuel duty is a huge issue particularly in rural areas like ours. The duty freeze kept in place for the past 14 years has helped hold down, as much as possible, the cost of filling up at the pumps against a background of global unrest and volatile oil prices.
“Obviously because of those international factors fuel prices have indeed often continued to rise, with the freeze helping curb any increases. But there is a real danger that is now about to change, with the new Labour government refusing to commit to continuing the fuel duty freeze.
“The added burden an increase in fuel duty would place on local motorists is why I put my name to a letter to the Chancellor last week urging her to at least maintain the existing freeze.
“Analysis by FairFuelUK suggests the impact on family finances, if duty were to be increased by 5p, would be to add £160 to annual fill-up costs, with running a commercial van costing around an extra £500 a year. Hauliers would face a punitive extra £5,000 a year.
“Many local people, particularly in rural and more remote areas, have no choice but to use their car for work, getting to school, shopping, accessing essential services and visiting loved ones.
“That’s why I am strongly opposed to any increase in fuel duty at the coming budget and why I will continue to make the case to the Chancellor and government that the needs of local motorists must be taken fully into account.”
