Diesel drivers must pay £260 under new Labour rule from October
Diesel drivers face a £5 rise in fuel prices at the pumps if the new Labour Party government axes the freeze on fuel duty. Currently, drivers on average in the UK fill up every week - and a fiver rise will hit diesel motorists with a £260 blow every year.
Edmund King, the president of The AA, hopes doesn’t the Autumn Budget coming on October 30 from Rachel Reeves, the new Chancellor, and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, will not involve a fuel duty increase for road users.
Mr King said: “Scrapping the 5p freeze in fuel duty would hurt everyone, not just drivers. Everything from the price of food in supermarkets to the delivery of social care within our communities is impacted by pump prices, and an unnecessary hike in fuel duty could make things worse.
READ MORE Pensioners to find out whether Winter Fuel Payment has been 'saved' next week
“Household budgets are already stretched and everyone benefits from a temporary suppression in fuel duty. Even households without a car feel the benefit of discounted fuel duty through cheaper bus fares and more affordable goods from supermarkets”, he added.
On the pricing of fuel by retailers, King said: “Much has been made of the margin of fuel retailers, and while there are examples of some outlets collecting higher-than-necessary profits, most small and independent forecourts are struggling to keep their heads above water compared to 2017.
“The best way to ensure fair pump prices is to complete the initial good work of the CMA to legislate that all fuel retailers must publish their prices.” The AA’s president added: “We don’t deny there are tough choices for the Chancellor to make in October, but hiking fuel duty could backfire on working people and fuel inflation.”
It comes after Ms Reeves said the Budget would likely be "painful" as she tries to plug a £20 billion black hole left by the Tories.