Hike in fuel duty would be ‘catastrophic’ for drivers, top Tories warn Chancellor

A RISE in fuel duty would be catastrophic for drivers, dozens of senior Tories have warned the Chancellor.

Around 40 MPs and peers have written to Jeremy Hunt urging him to freeze rates and keep the 5p cut at next month’s Budget.

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Eight former Cabinet ministers including Suella Braverman and Priti Patel are among the signatories praising The Sun’s Keep It Down campaign.

For 13 years our crusade with FairFuelUK has stopped the duty soaring with inflation.

Since 2022 there has been a further 5p cut, together saving drivers around £200 a year.

But MPs are now piling pressure on Mr Hunt to extend both measures amid fears he could scale them back due to financial restraints.

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In their letter they warn: “It would be catastrophic for British motorists if fuel duty rises in line with inflation.”

Raising duty would also deal a blow to businesses, hitting PM Rishi Sunak’s growth plans.

A 126,000-strong petition will be delivered to Downing Street today by FairFuel’s boss Howard Cox.

Treasury sources say Mr Hunt has around £13billion in the public finances which he will dip into for tax cuts.

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Keeping fuel duty frozen and extending the 5p cut — due to expire on March 23 — is expected to cost £5billion.

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