Jeremy Hunt under pressure to extend 5p a litre cut to fuel duty as measure set to expire end of March
CHANCELLOR Jeremy Hunt is under pressure to extend the 5p a litre cut to fuel duty.
The measure started as a temporary move in 2022 but is due to expire at the end of next month.
Whitehall insiders point to costs of £6billion for keeping it and freezing fuel duty for another year.
The current rate for fuel duty is 57.95p per litre but the 5p cut takes it to 52.95p.
FairFuelUK’s Howard Cox wants Mr Hunt to keep the reduction, saying: “Lower filling costs reduce inflation, increases spending, advances business investment and generates growth.
“Supporting motorists and the blossoming white van economy is the key to unlocking tangible economic growth.”
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The Sun has backed drivers as part of the Keep It Down campaign with rates of fuel duty not rising since the start of 2011.
The Office for Budget Responsibility says its projections on how much financial wiggle room the Government has is based on fuel duty rates rising with inflation — and the 5p cut reversing.
Tory MP Greg Smith said: “At a bare minimum, the 5p cut needs to continue.
"Better still, a more realistic approach to fuel tax that would see the total the state takes from every tank radically reduced.”
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Campaigners are also demanding no delays in implementing the Pumpwatch system where retailers are required to share fuel prices.
A Government spokesperson said: “For almost two years the average driver has saved around £200 thanks to an extended 5p cut to fuel duty.
"It is too early to know if further reductions in tax are affordable in the Budget.”
