Campaigners Protest Over Record Fuel Prices

Campaigners against high petrol prices have taken their message to the heart of Government.

FairFuelUK , representing car drivers and hauliers, presented a report to the Prime Minister at Downing St this morning calling for a cut in fuel duty.

Hundreds later braved heavy rain in Westminster to protest against what they said were sky-high fuel taxes and rising petrol pump prices.

As the demonstration took place, it was revealed that average UK petrol prices had hit a new record high of 137.79p a litre.

Protesters hope that Chancellor George Osborne will use his Budget statement later this month to stop a 3p-a-litre fuel duty increase which is planned for August, as well as cut the tax.

Presenting the document to Number 10, FairFuel UK spokesman Quentin Willson said: "The most powerful statement in the report I have just handed to the Prime Minister is that he can reduce fuel duty by 2.5p and not cost the Treasury anything because of the creation of jobs, the economic activity, the lack of welfare payment by putting people back in jobs.

"It will stimulate a whole area of the whole economy."

The report, undertaken by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), claims that a cut in fuel duty of 2.5p per litre would create 180,000 new jobs.

The main findings were given to Treasury Minister Chloe Smith last week by Mr Willson and FairFuel UK's founder Peter Carroll.

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

Mr Willson said: "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.

"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."

Mr Willson 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."

Ms Smith told Sky News that the Government "understands people's concerns about high fuel prices."

She said ministers had taken action to support motorists "to the tune of about £4bn", meaning that petrol and diesel prices were 10p lower this year than they would have been under the previous Government's policies.

Breakdown service RAC is among FairFuel UK's supporters.

The company's technical director, David Bizley, said: "These are dark days at Britain's forecourts, with a record fuel price seemingly a daily event.

"The spectre of a further fuel duty increase in August is unthinkable for the millions of motorists that are having to make daily choices on what trips they take and how to afford to take them."