More than 50 MPs are calling on the chancellor to cut fuel duty, warning that the haulage industry faces “severe damage” if  fuel duty rises in line with RPI next April.

The MPs are also calling for the creation of an independent watchdog to monitor pump pricing.

In a letter to chancellor Philip Hammond ahead of the Autumn Statement (23 November), Dover MP Charlie Elphicke, chairman of the FairFuelUK (FFUK) all party parliamentary group, called for a cut in fuel duty in the face of rising pump prices.

“Businesses benefit hugely from lower fuel duty. FFUK estimates that if fuel duty increased in line with the RPI next April, annual running costs for a 44-tonne truck would increase by £847.

"For an average haulage business, this equates to over £40,200 of extra cost, or the loss of a couple of staff. This would severely damage the UK haulage industry,” he argued.

The letter also calls for an independent “PumpWatch” body to monitor fuel prices, create greater pricing transparency and levy fines for predatory pricing practices.

Recent FFUK research shows that whilst petrol and diesel wholesale prices fell 5.31% and  4.43% respectively between 10 October and 10 November this year, petrol pump prices went up 3.13% and diesel pump prices rose 3.63% in the same period.

“These shocking figures show why we need an independent PumpWatch,” said Elphicke this week.

He called on drivers to sign FFUK’s  government e-petition demanding the creation of the watchdog”, adding that, “thousands have already signed the PumpWatch e-petition in a matter of days”.

Topics