Scrapping fuel duty increase is good news for motorists

Andy Dingley, communications manager, Bridgestone UK

“Today’s announcement that the planned increase in fuel duty has been dropped is welcome news for motorists at a time of austerity.

“The 1p a litre, plus inflation, fuel duty escalator, which was due to take effect on April 1st, would have added as much as 5p a litre at the pumps. Intervening now to block a further fuel price increase is a sensible move and will go some way to easing the strain on motorists and businesses that rely on transportation.

“As oil prices continue to rise, due to uncertainty in the Middle East further fuel price increases are likely in the future and for many motorists and businesses, these rising costs are becoming increasingly difficult to absorb.

“The coalition Government had little choice but to scrap the planned fuel duty increase now in order to keep costs at the pumps as low as possible, for as long as possible.”