A freeze in fuel duty and a 1p cut, rather than the 5p increase planned, prevents more pain at the pumps and applies a ‘much needed tourniquet to drivers haemorrhaging money from record pump prices’, says the AA. However, volatile oil prices may once again drain much of the benefit of the freeze announced today.

“We and millions of AA members, two-thirds of whom have cut back because of record fuel prices, applaud the Chancellor’s decision to listen to the AA campaign to cut fuel duty rather than hike it by 5p a litre. A £2.50-a-tank hike would have been the last straw for poorer drivers who spend a quarter of their household income on motoring,” says Edmund King, the AA’s president.

“This action has probably stopped a ‘summer of discontent’ and is a common sense move. Any increase in duty would have bled many drivers on low incomes dry so this action offers short-term first aid. However, with jittery stock markets and tensions in North Africa pushing the oil price back into the $115-$120-a-barrel price range, pressure on pump prices and inflation could grow again. After all, petrol prices were 5p a litre cheaper only as far back as the end of January. The early January increase in VAT and duty is already bringing in an extra 5p litre for The Treasury.

“The Government will have to consider further help targeting vulnerable groups, such as volunteer drivers, rural public transport and poorer rural drivers. Despite the freeze more than 80p in the price of every litre of fuel goes directly to the Treasury so the Government is already taking more than its fair share from drivers.

“The Fair Fuel Stabiliser is an idea first mooted by the AA and we are pleased it is being considered. This should bring more certainty to the market.”

“The increased approved mileage rates from 40p to 45p are long over-due and very helpful. Companies have been insulated against higher fuel costs while employees, charity workers and midwives using their own cars for work have borne the burden and in effect taken a pay-cut.

“We will need to study the impact of company car tax changes to encourage greener motoring.”

“The extra £100 million for potholes is welcome but billions still need to be spent to bring all roads up to scratch.”

Vehicle Excise Duty will increase in line with inflation.