Sir John Whittingdale, MP for Maldon, joins dozens of MPs in a campaign to stop a possible rise in fuel duty
· Analysis suggests a 5p increase could cost Britain’s 37 million motorists £160
Sir John has joined a campaign with over seventy Members of Parliament urging the Chancellor to keep the cost of fuel down at the Budget.
In a joint letter to Rachel Reeves, dozens of Conservative MPs tell the Chancellor to consider the impact of a rise in fuel duty on low-income families, small businesses and the logistics industry.
Fuel duty has remained frozen for the last 14 years, currently standing at 6p less than when Labour were last in power. This has benefitted Britain’s 37 million motorists and businesses. However, Sir John argues that instability in the Middle East will continue to make oil prices volatile which means it is essential the Chancellor helps to keep the cost of fuel down at the Budget.
Working with FairFuelUK and Saqib Bhatti MBE MP, Sir John and other MPs claim that hiking fuel duty slows economic growth, costs jobs, stokes inflation and reduces consumer spending. Latest evidence from the Centre for Economic Business Research predicts that raising fuel duty will only bring about short-term benefits for the Treasury and the long-term impact of raising fuel duty could lead to a collapse in revenue by 60%, within five years.
Analysis from FairFuelUK indicates the impact on family finances if fuel duty is increase by 5p is estimated to add £160 to annual fill-up costs, whilst the average commercial van could see costs spiral by £500. Sir John also suggests that these costs would be unavoidable for constituents in rural communities who don’t have access to public transport.
Sir John also called for the Government to continue the delivery and roll-out of the Conservative Government’s PumpWatch scheme, which allowed motorists to locate the lowest forecourt pump prices. The MPs argue this would protect motorists, families, and businesses across the UK.
Commenting Sir John said:
“The Conservatives stood by Britain’s 37 million motorists and kept fuel prices down at the Budget for 14 consecutive years. There is yet to be any indication from the Government that Labour will do the same.
“That the prospect of a rise in fuel hangs over motorists before the Budget, which would have a devastating impact on families and businesses in [[Insert Constituency]].
“That’s why I am delighted to sign this letter with over 70 of my colleagues to demand the Chancellor does not punish motorists at the Budget and not to punish motorists, families and businesses across the United Kingdom with this cynical money grab.”
The letter to the Chancellor is pictured below:
