Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Fuel price activists to lobby MPs

 

Peter Woodman
Tuesday 06 March 2012 08:49 EST
Comments
Campaigners will lobby Parliament tomorrow to protest against sky-high fuel taxes
Campaigners will lobby Parliament tomorrow to protest against sky-high fuel taxes (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Campaigners will lobby Parliament tomorrow to protest against sky-high fuel taxes and petrol pump prices.

Organised by the FairFuelUK group, the protest will include the presentation of a report to 10 Downing Street.

This handover will be followed by a mass lobby of MPs which takes place at a time when average petrol prices have reached a record high of 137.44p a litre.

The report being delivered is from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR).

It says that even a modest cut in fuel duty of 2.5p per litre would create 180,000 new jobs.

The main findings of the CEBR report were conveyed to Treasury Minister Chloe Smith last week when she met FairFuelUK spokesman Quentin Willson and the organisation's founder Peter Carroll.

The meeting took place after separate findings showed that UK drivers were paying the highest fuel taxes in Europe.

Mr Willson said today: "We have shared the findings of this report with MPs and ministers. However, with only weeks to go to the Budget, we are concerned that the Government is not listening and not taking on board the significance of these findings.

"For months, the Government has been wheeling out the same old argument that it 'can't afford to cut duty'. Here is concrete evidence that it can make such a cut. Families and businesses are being crushed by these cruel levels of tax - 82p on every litre we buy. It's damaging the economy and holding back growth."

He went on: "The people are clamouring for the Government to look at fuel duty. This research shows that a cut in fuel duty won't cost the Treasury a penny. It can cut duty and do any of the other options if it so wishes.

"So it is wrong of the Government to say it's a choice between a fuel duty cut and other measures. It can, and should, cut fuel duty now."

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in