Dumfries and Galloway MP calls for fuel duty freeze ahead of reported 7p rise
He has written to the chancellor warning her of the impact it could have on low-income families.
Last updated 22nd Oct 2024
There is a fight to keep fuel affordable for low-income families and small businesses in Dumfries and Galloway.
For almost 15 years, there has been a fuel duty freeze which has kept the costs down.
It’s been reported that at next week’s autumn budget, the Labour Government could end that, increasing it by 7p a litre.
Conservative MP David Mundell is one of over 70 politicians who has written to the Chancellor urging her to consider the impact a rise in fuel duty could have on people with low-paying jobs.
Mundell says: “Fuel duty is a huge issue, particularly in rural areas like ours. The duty freeze kept in place for the past 14 years has helped hold down, as much as possible, the cost of filling up at the pumps against a background of global unrest and volatile oil prices.
“Obviously because of those international factors fuel prices have indeed often continued to rise, with the freeze helping curb any increases. But there is a real danger that is now about to change, with the new Labour government refusing to commit to continuing the fuel duty freeze.
“The added burden an increase in fuel duty would place on local motorists is why I put my name to a letter to the Chancellor last week urging her to at least maintain the existing freeze.
“Analysis by FairFuelUK suggests the impact on family finances, if the duty were to be increased by 5p, would be to add £160 to annual fill-up costs, with running a commercial van costing around an extra £500 a year. Hauliers would face a punitive extra £5,000 a year.
“Many local people, particularly in rural and more remote areas, have no choice but to use their car for work, getting to school, shopping, accessing essential services and visiting loved ones.
“That’s why I am strongly opposed to any increase in fuel duty at the coming budget and why I will continue to make the case to the Chancellor and government that the needs of local motorists must be taken fully into account.”