Fuel duty cut 'too little, too late' for taxi drivers across South Yorkshire
We've been speaking to staff at Penistone Travel about the Chancellor's Spring Statement on Wednesday
Taxi drivers across South Yorkshire fear yesterday's cut to fuel duty will prove to be 'too little, too late' for many in the industry.
The Chancellor brought in the 5p per litre reductions on both petrol & diesel at 6pm last night after his Spring Statement on Wednesday afternoon.
Andy Shearman from Penistone Travel doesn't think it'll make life any easier for people in his line of work:
"The 5p cut in fuel duty doesn't go far enough in my opinion.
"We need 30p or 40p knocking off the prices at the pumps, or it'll be a hard road ahead for everyone.
"The cost of living has absolutely rocketed, and I don't feel the Government's done enough to ease the pressure on people.
"It's like our thumbs are screwed down to the table and we're being bled dry.
"Lots of people have left the taxi trade, as everybody is struggling. It's going to be a long slog ahead, as our business has probably reduced by about 40% over the last year or so.
"The costs are piling up more and more for people in our sector. Is it worth carrying on? Who knows?"
Rishi Sunak also outlined a number of other measures in his so called 'Mini-Budget' on Wednesday.
For instance, from July, the amount we can earn without paying National Insurance contributions will go up by £3,000.
Also, VAT on green energy sources - like solar panels and heat pumps - has been scrapped.