Call by MPs to scrap fuel duty rise
A cross-party group of MPs is campaigning for the UK Government to scrap the 3p rise in fuel duty planned for August.So far 28 MPs have agreed to support a proposed clause, drafted by the SNP, which would amend the Budget and cancel the rise in fuel duty.
The campaign, which is backed by FairFuelUK, is being led by the SNP.
The party said that the clause will be tabled at the earliest opportunity, when the Finance Bill has completed its committee stage, expected in late June.
The SNP's Treasury spokesperson Stewart Hosie MP, who is leading the campaign in Parliament, said: "The level of cross-party support for this clause is astonishing - and reflects the mood across the country that fuel prices must be brought under control."
He added: "The lack of action on fuel prices was one of the biggest issues missing in the Chancellor's Budget. High costs of fuel aren't just hurting the pockets of hard-pressed householders across the UK, they are hammering businesses and hampering economic recovery.
"In the long term a fuel duty regulator would help protect from volatile fuel prices - but in the short term we can take immediate action by scrapping the further 3p rise."
The MPs backing the clause come from nine political parties with one independent.
A Treasury spokeswoman said: "The Government has taken real action to help households with the cost of motoring, delivering support worth more than £4 billion.
"But we have always been clear that decisions on the public finances must support the Government's priority of reducing the deficit in a sustainable way."
He added: "The lack of action on fuel prices was one of the biggest issues missing in the Chancellor's Budget. High costs of fuel aren't just hurting the pockets of hard-pressed householders across the UK, they are hammering businesses and hampering economic recovery.
"In the long term a fuel duty regulator would help protect from volatile fuel prices - but in the short term we can take immediate action by scrapping the further 3p rise."
The MPs backing the clause come from nine political parties with one independent.
A Treasury spokeswoman said: "The Government has taken real action to help households with the cost of motoring, delivering support worth more than £4 billion.
"But we have always been clear that decisions on the public finances must support the Government's priority of reducing the deficit in a sustainable way."
© 2013 Press Association