09.12.07 Petrol price protests planned for this Wednesday

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4414 comments 21680 votes

Do you think the government should have acted before these protests?


UPDATE: Transaction 2007 have announced a firm date for the protest - Saturday 15th December 2007 at 10:00am. They say the date was decided by members as "the best possible to enable those who would normally be working during the week to attend." According to a press release on the site, they plan to protest outside refineries or storage depots across the country.

For more information, have a look at our latest blog

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A group called Transaction 2007 is planning a "nationwide legal protest" this Wednesday.

You might remember the fuel protest of 2000 which initially gathered strong support from motorists. However, that support quickly turned when many motorists were prevented from filling up because of lorry blockades.

PetrolPrices.com expressed to the organisers that they may find public support for another fuel protest providing it was properly planned to be legal and orderly. So far, the Transaction 2007 organisers have been unwilling to confirm to us specifically what action they have planned for this week. When we pressed the group's spokesman, Chris Hunter, he said "This will be a numbers game levied against legislation. I can comment no further."

With fuel breaking well beyond the £1 barrier, PetrolPrices.com has had a huge rise in the number of emails from concerned motorists. People were especially angry following the last fuel duty hike imposed by the Government in October. Despite being made aware of the huge resistance from motorists, the Government pushed ahead with the 2p duty increase, leaving the public frustrated and angry. Over 80,000 people had voted against the tax hike on our blog post.

The protests of 2000 achieved some success in that the fuel duty escalator was frozen. However, it has now resumed and with the rising price of oil motorists are paying ever increasing taxation due to VAT on fuel. Unlike fuel duty which is fixed, VAT is charged at 17.5%, so for every 1p increase in the price of fuel, we are actually paying an extra 1.175p.

We'd love to hear what you think. How have the tax and oil price rises affected you? Will you be forced to tighten your belt this Christmas as a result?

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What's wrong with the Brits? Why do we just sit back and do nothing? For some obscure reason we just seem to accept our fate. The last time we had fuel protests, there was initial anger and protest, then it just dwindled away. Think of the amount of cars and transport on our roads. Imagine the amount of income to the Government from the tax and VAT from the fuel used by these? Its phenomenal. Imagine what the effect would be if we all boycotted the pumps for just a week! That would certainly make them sit up and listen. So come on us Brits! For Goodness sake lets make a stand, and show them we have all had enough!!

Posted by David Holmes, 10th December 2007 8:55am

Its about time !!!
This protest should have happened sooner. I use my car every day for getting to and from work, and getting to meetings, my petrol allowance from work is only based on 82p per litre. so it doesnt cover it at all.

Come on get something done about it.

Posted by Laraine Cartwright, 10th December 2007 8:55am

In America, at the same time that we were having problems with price issues, they simply refused to pay the extra and the price was brought back down again.
Why do we in Britain just sit back and complain to each other but not the powers-that-be. It is greed on their behalf.

Posted by Brian Delfrey, 10th December 2007 8:55am

Its all we expect now from another RIP OFF UK government.
Rip off taxes left right and centre.
Then when election times come they all make false promises and try to be concerned. NOT AT MY FRONT DOOR.

Each party should be video taped in public stating what they will do to LOWER cost of living and TAXES before being given control, and this tape then reviewed every 3 months in public, so if they cannot deliver their promise THEY GET BOOTED OUT.

AS LONG AS WE LET THEM GET AWAY WITH INCREASES, THEY WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THEM, AND BLAME ANYONE ELSE THEY CAN.

Posted by P. Finn, 10th December 2007 8:55am

As a senior who is active in community/voluntary work, I rely on my car to get to committee meetings and events. Something should have been done before now to keep petrol prices from rising.

Posted by Geraldine Fennell Phd, 10th December 2007 8:55am

The Government is and will remain impevious to complaints about the price rises, so long as ithe tax take continues to bail them out from the general poor state of public finances. We need to pressure the Government to limit the absolute take on fuel taxes. It is a bonanza for them.

Posted by Stephen Roberts, 10th December 2007 8:55am

I am glad to read that the vast majority of posts realise that its the government and not the retailer that is making the vast amounts of money from us.

Fact - 1 litre of fuel costs around 32p -35p @ $85 - $100 dollars per barrel
Fact - 1 litre of fuel cost around 20p @ $20 per barrel
Fact - the retailer makes around 3.5p per litre
Fact - the government makes around 70p per litre

= 35p + 3.5p + 70p gives you a retail price of £106.5

Boygotting individual stations, fuel companys will not make the fuel companies bring the price down. When the barrel of oil cost $20 and the fuel companys where charging 20p per litre - how where they going to make any reductions in the RETAIL PRICE when their costs where 20p per litre

It is the GOVERNMENT and only the GOVERNMENT that need to reduce their tax which will lower the retail cost of fuel.

Diesel is more expensive because investors are investing in barrels of oil (as the dollar is so weak) keeping the price up. Winter time in the US increases demand for heating oil which inturn pushes diesel up in price as the heavier parts of crude are made into heating oil rather than diesel fuel.

Posted by David Houston, 10th December 2007 8:55am

i think it absolutly stinks how much it costs me to get to work and back if the price of a barrell of oil goes up then y not bring the tax down the only country i know where we are born free and taxed to death bring on the blockades lets see how we do this time

Posted by Martin Homer, 10th December 2007 8:56am

This country went to the dogs many years ago in my opinion, and these high petrol prices just strengthen my beliefs, I tell you what if I was around 25 I would be shooting off to Australia, this is one of the few countries of the world where there are still some opportunities, but seeing as I am in my late 50s and no money left thanks to Moron Gordon, then guess I will have to ride out the storm here.!!!!!!! Dave Pethrick, Oxon.

Posted by Dave Pethrick, 10th December 2007 8:56am

Tried to get to London from Oxford last week by public transport with 3 children - 11 months, 2 and 5 years. Oxford P and R full (buses to LOndon going out virtually empty), drove on to Lewknor - same story, drove onto Amersham Station to go by underground. 15 floors full, Eventually parked at a friend's house in Amersham and walked to station. 4 hours travelling time.
As an over 65 year old could have done without the hassle. Next time i go by car and enjoy the day. You'll never get us out of our cars unless you provide the additional services as well.

Posted by Diane Hesford, 10th December 2007 8:56am

I recently changed my car from petrol to diesel as I commute daily - 140 miles e/w to make travelling less expensive - Now I find that increases of diesel have risen over 10P per litre since October. More stealth taxes from this corrupt Government.

Posted by Rick Johns, 10th December 2007 8:56am

At last! The majority of British public have woken up and realised that they are being financially raped by this ignorant and arrogant government and are finally prepared to take action.

How an elected governement can charge between 71 & 76% tax on the price of fuel and then to cap that have the audacity to charge an additional 17.5% VAT on top is beyond belief!

We pay more per litre for fuel than just about any other country in the whole world but just a thought dont we already pay road tax? Yep we do, and it is also higher than just about any other country that adopts road tax, so where does all the money go? Over to you Gordy?

Posted by Richard Battey, 10th December 2007 8:56am

great idea let the protests begin !!!!! our rip of government is collecting billions more on fuel tax than it was a year ago !!!! they could slash 5p a litre of petrol tommorow if they wanted to , and still be collecting more money than they where a year ago !!! lets protest and shut the country down , just maybe this government will stop ripping us off then .....

Posted by Phil Radford, 10th December 2007 8:56am

"The protests of 2000 achieved some success" No they didn't, and further protests will only strengthen the governments' resolve. The only people it affected were the people that have to use a car to get to and from work. Think about this logically. If I hit you in the face are you going to get up and say "Oh,sorry mate I won't do my job again." or are you going to hold your ground? Also, there will be an election coming up soon - the tories will be on their usual 'tax cuts' soap box but what do you think will happen to petrol prices that are controlled by Labour? Are we going to block Tescos doors next week when bread prices go up? WAKE UP, this sort of action only hurts us!

Posted by David Inquieti, 10th December 2007 8:57am

The Government has no justification for the massive taxes levied on the motorist, of which only a percentage is spent on the road system. The oil companies are also winning major profits and have had an easy ride from the consumer. Oil prices are set to reduce in the new year, when will we see a reduction at the pump? This goverment see the motorist as an easy target, we need to vote them out as soon as possible and elect a goverment which will have the best interests of our country at heart and not be based on corruption.

Posted by Ray Davis, 10th December 2007 8:57am

It's bloody ridiculous the price of fuel at the moment. We pay tax when we buy a car, we pay council tax, road tax, more tax on petrol -tax, tax and more tax and don't seem to get any benefit from it except the pleasure of seeing the government plan their next christmas party, oreign tour or a brand new house.

Posted by Neil Flint, 10th December 2007 8:57am

Petrol prices are on the rise and yet people still object to the gas guzzling car.

My wife has a 4x4 and only does approx 6,000 miles per year. The reason for her driving this car because I dont drive yet I am a DJ so I rely on her to drop me and my stuff off. Look at those people who supposedly have efficient cars I bet half of them do a hell of a lot more than 6,000 per year.

Instead of running the types of vehicles down we should stick together together. Over a £1 a litre is ridiculous we need to do something. Petrol companies make a huge profit each year from the likes of the car user, perhaps this ought to give some back as a goodwill gesture for loyal customers.

Posted by Paul Thomas, 10th December 2007 8:57am

Great news! Where can I get info on how I can protest with them?

Posted by Neil Devine, 10th December 2007 8:57am

I'm in favour of the rise in fuel prices, i see and know a huge number of people who use their vehicles unneccessarily adding to pollution, congestion and obesity. I do live in London so alternative transport is easy, i accept there are genuine problems for some in the countryside but so many people drive ridiculously short distances, or drive when they could get a train or blame the government when they live 50 miles away from where they work and don't like the fact it costs them money. If only people with a genuine need to drive did drive then petrol consumption would plummet and prices would lower helping those who do need to drive more than these absurdly unhelpful protests. I'm sure you all agree... Mike

Posted by Mike Lawrence, 10th December 2007 8:58am


I do wedding car hire, our Rolls and Ferrari gobble up the fuel! having flash cars does not mean we can afford massive fuel prices!

Good Luck to the protesters :O) I'll be filling up my cars today so I'll at least have supplies if (and hopfully it will!) the protest will bring the country to a hold for a couple of days a wekk until it brings the politicians back down to earth and they reduce the taxes on fuel.

Have you all noticed the Tax Dutys gone up by over 30% for most cars now :O/

Gary.

Posted by Gary Simpson, 10th December 2007 8:58am

I alos live in a rural community with no public transport links. The government seem to forget that there is life outside the M25 where there are better public transport links and feel it is good to prevent people using cars. This is ok for cities but there are lots of people in my position who cannot get to the nearest town without a car. Diesel is £1.10 in my village and I am sure it will rise.

I cannot understand why it has taken this long to react but I would be happy for anything that will lower the fuel prices that have been rising rapidly for a while

Posted by Cate, 10th December 2007 8:58am

Does this government think that the motorist in this country are stupid,the petrol hike affects each and every one of us because of the knock on effect ie food prices,transport costs. i recently received an e-mail urging motorists to boycot all bp and esso stations in the hope that if the 2 biggest petrol companys were hit in there pockets it would have the knock on effect of them having to reduce there prices and the other companys would follow suit,as yet i have seen no effect of this strategy making any impact,we can only hope in time if this idea was followed up i foe one am sure that it is a great idea.

Posted by John Thomson, 10th December 2007 8:58am

Bring it on. Fuel prices are ridiculous!!!

Posted by Anne Potten, 10th December 2007 8:58am

This fuel protest is well overdue - I have been waiting for this to happen for some time now!! I have moved 300 miles to be closer to family and to do a job I love, however because of house prices (again because of the Government) being so expensive I still have to live 60 miles away and so my daily commute of 120 mile round trip is costing a fortune.

Not only are the petrol prices crazy, the Government go on about bringing families together, many people do not live on top of their families these days and with the way petrol prices are going families will become even more disjointed if no-one can afford to go and visit!!! Think about it!!

When I used to live 300 miles away it cost me less to fly to visit my family than it does to drive when I only live 60 mile away - lets not forget the plane is a bigger polluter than the little old driver!!

I fully support this protest, the Government will only listen if we hit them in the pocket, I have thought about it many times but unfortunately one person with a small car can't blockade anything alone!!!

Posted by Vicky, 10th December 2007 8:59am

about time too, in the last 6 years of driving, prices have risen from 78.8p per litre to 101.9p in a supermarket near me, i feel for those even worse hit.
it's clear the tax is just lining pockets of ministers and not actually helping the environment.
it's now become one of the most annoying and important issues for travellers today.
good luck and any help wanted shall be given-dutifully!!!

Posted by Sean Gardner, 10th December 2007 8:59am

The government should at least look at reducing the tax they place on fuel. They have plenty other ways of raising the money potentially lost (taxing profits on large corporate companies) which although may filter down have a reduced impact on the consumer in the potentially tough times we face

Posted by Tim Broad, 10th December 2007 8:59am

Living in the country we have to run two cars, if we are to go about our business. Public transport is scarce, dirty, overcrowded and unreliable. We have horses so need a 4 x 4 to tow them. Although it does 30mpg it falls into the maximum road tax bracket, so the b******* road tax us to the hilt and then fuel tax us beyond that. In addition to this legalised mugging they are now proposing to congestion charge us into oblivion in a dozen of our cities, assuming of course you can afford the fuel to drive there!!! The time has come for this arrogant, incompetent and sleazy government to be given a bloody nose. I am totally behind the proposed fuel protests, and would go further and, albeit reluctantly, support civil disobedience. The French hauliers have proved it works!!!

Posted by Keith Crampton, 10th December 2007 8:59am

yes we need to stand together and make a show to these in power that think they can dictate over all out life, and one thing for them and another for us we need fuel at a good price not like this with so much tax.I have work in japan and the fuel there was going up at 70p lt and they were starting to moan the japanese people this juts shows how silly the british people are they moan but do nothing we need to act like france all out or nothing wins the day i work for myslef so fuel now costs me a lot and my customer prices are stating to go up to cover my cost how far are we going to go before we do somthing i am all for this vote me in.

Posted by Steve Withington, 10th December 2007 8:59am

It is simply a tax on those who are poorer off in our society. Many of those who can afford these current petrol prices are protected in that their companies foot the bill in the form of company perks - and you've guessed it, companies get it for cheaper! It is only when these people begin to suffer the true burden of having to pay for their usage of petrol that things will change.

Posted by Debra Baines, 10th December 2007 8:59am

I think gov leaders should be ashamed, I simply don't understand, they keep increasing the cost of fuel and the associated tax, at the same time they say they want less cars on the road, if they actually wanted and expected this to happen why would they be using it as a high source of revenue, what would happen if every one stopped using their cars? its exactly the same as tobacco.

I can't see Tesco complaining that their customers keep buying food? but its exactly the same. We are in a modern society the only way to reduce the emissions is to change the engines in our cars, the gov need to invest a large chunk of the fuel revenue back into alernative methods of power, if they had done enough of this far back in the past they wouldn't be having to tax us like they are now. however I have no idea where the revenue would come from then but having said that neither do they.
Dave

Posted by Dave Hartley, 10th December 2007 8:59am

Sweden thought of as a traditionally expensive and higher taxed country than the UK has pump price fuel approximately 10% less than the UK.

Posted by John Rhodes, 10th December 2007 8:59am

With the price of fuel in my area hitting the £1.06 mark I am right behind the protest action. My wife has been forced to move to a new work location as her last place closed down and they relocated the staff. This now means that she has to fork out over £10 everyday just to get there and back. The price we pay in this country is out of order and I wouldn't mind going back to the days of the blockade if it meant something was done about these prices.

Posted by Stuart Anderson, 10th December 2007 8:59am

This government like any other hates the car and sees global warming as a vote winner and even better a revenue raiser. If they thought for one minute fuel duty was a vote loser, then how things would change.

Unfortunatley on this matter all parties seem to think the same. There is global warming but coming out of the previous ice age is a far more logical explanation, than burning fossil fuels, and we ain't going to do much about that.

http://www.museum.state.il.us/exhibits/ice_ages/when_ice_ages.html

Lets stop talking about fuel duty and do something about it. Now its through £1 barrier there'll be no stopping it, until of course it slows down for £2 barrier.

And just to add to my rant I can't believe that the petrol companies still add the 0.9p on the end of the price...what cheek!


Posted by Roger Hampshire, 10th December 2007 8:59am

Myself and my wife have been caravanning for many years, but now we simply can no longer afford to go away, the most expensive part of any journey is no longer the site fees or the food, its the fuel.
We contemplated having a gas conversion done to our car but quickly changed our minds following the discovery of the price, does anyone know if there are any grants available (not that we would qualify anyway)

Kind Regards,

Gary.

Posted by Gary Reynolds, 10th December 2007 8:59am

As a school of motoring it really is begining to feel alot more than just a pinch.legend as it that for every £1.07 alitre that we pay that about 80p of that is tax which is ridiculous if thats the case.

Posted by A Woollin, 10th December 2007 8:59am

Yes i know why supermarket fuel is cheaper.... because they buy it in bulk.. but also because it comes from America and even south American countries hahahah the irony of it all. I was at a jools Holland gig a few weeks ago and someone in the band tried to get the audience to stand up and dance and clap their hands .... Well what pathetic people we are ...we just sit there ..too scared or embarrassed to stand up .... we ( the people)are being screwed by the Government ..every possible way!! And we just sit there and let it happen.... Will we stand up and unite for OUR rights !! yes for sure if you stick a rocket up most peoples back side !! Well its about time we woke up from our deep sleep and grabbed the government by the B**ls and said ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

Posted by Bernadette Glover, 10th December 2007 9:00am

I never cease to be amazed at the speed with which fuel prices go up on response to an increase in world crude price increase but the tardiness in lowering the price when the reverse occurs. With oil bought in dollars and the value of the pound against the dollar being substantially more than a year ago, we have gained no benefit! In common with all goods prices, we appear to pay more than most nations in the EU. The main reason - governemnt imposed duties and taxes. You know what to do about this - get rid!

Posted by Tom Morris, 10th December 2007 9:00am

Totally support any action, anything to make life more affordable.

Posted by Marcia Young, 10th December 2007 9:00am

Im a single Young mum who live's in a town where i dont really know anyone, all my family are miles away. so i need my car to get to see the family, and my son to see his grandparents. But at this rate im having to cut down on my visits as i just cant afford to do it. I think its amazing just how much its gone up!! i just cant find the words to decribe how i feel about it! and then to know that the goverment take a HUGE wack of that money too, we pay road tax, isnt that enough??? So im glad finaly some one has decided to show their point! Good luck! I'm right behind you!

Posted by Amie, 10th December 2007 9:00am

It cost me £50 to fill an ordinary family car! This is ridiculous, where does all this tax go? Do we see any benefit? Why can't we get rid of this chancellor and prime minister with there ever open paws?

Posted by John Wright, 10th December 2007 9:00am

What the hell is going on in this country, we(The British Public)have spent the fortunes of Averis on invading Iraq to secure oil on the the tentative smoke screen of WMD's(yeah right). So why are we paying so much?????????

I understand that the Government needs to generate revenue, so why not cut the fuel duty & the vat on fuel and offset it against a rise in the basic rate of tax, which we would hardly notice & or raise the rate vat.

All those who dont drive will shout why should I pay more basic rate if I dont drive, what I would say to them is "you buy stuff from shops, the stuff gets there on a lorry if its cheaper to get it to the stores it will be cheaper to buy......everyones a winner!!!!!!!!

Posted by Barry Caleini, 10th December 2007 9:00am

The motorist is easy prey for any government to fund their financial black hole. The Gordon Brown escalator has nothing to do with "Green issues" like saving the planet, just saving himself.
We are supposed to have an independant Bank of England, but have we? The government add taxes to fuel, transport costs goes up, therefore food and the cost of everything goes up, therefore there is inflation. The bank puts interest rates up and people start having their homes reposessed!
That's what we have now?

Posted by Barry Reed, 10th December 2007 9:01am

Umesh Kalra,
If you think £20 a week is nothing for you, it is a lot for some people.
The question here is not only how much, but it is unfair and ridiculously high.
There is no shortage of petrol world wide to explain the increase from $18 to $90 a barrel and those who believe that increasing the prices will stop people from driving are either stupid or ignorant.
The car is a nessecity now a days. Fuel pricing is an extra money for the treasury and more profit to the oil magnats, that is all!!!!!!

Posted by N. Morgan, 10th December 2007 9:01am

we should all stick together with this protest and hit this government hard. the French would have been in up roar a long time ago, thats the only thing i like about the French is that they stick together. go on fuel protesters you got our backing.

Posted by Alan Moore, 10th December 2007 9:01am

IT IS A DISGRACE AND I WELCOME ANY LEGAL PROTEST TO TRY AND MAKE THE GOVERNMENT SEE SENSE.

I WORK AT STANSTED AIRPORT AND MY FUEL BILL HAS RISEN £60 PER MONTH OVER A PERIOD OF ABOUT 8 WEEKS, AND PUBLIC TRANSPORT SUCKS AND IS NOT AN OPTION FOR ME, IF IT WERE, I'D USE IT!

Posted by Nick Cunningham, 10th December 2007 9:01am

As a self employed courier the fuel price hike has affected my business.
In my local town in october the price per litre of diesel was 94.9 then the 2p went on,then another,then another,then another till the price reached what it is a the moment 105.9 a litre.A rise of 11pence since october,the goverment needs to cut the tax on fuel prices.As for the fuel protests i say good luck to all and bring the country to its knees again.

Posted by Andrew Brodrick, 10th December 2007 9:01am

The government must think we are all idiots. I personally am getting to the stage where I would consider moving away from the UK. We get nailed by tax right across the board. If you earn a normal living you get nailed on your income tax, if you have to drive a car you get nailed on the fuel, the problem we have is that there are not enough people who are willing to do something about it. If we had a national campaign that included the majority, then perhaps we could do something about it. Where are the brains of britain when you need them?

Posted by David Stewart, 10th December 2007 9:01am

i run diesel van for work and run a small painting and decorating company just me on the payroll i cant pass the cost of fuel on to the customer so lose out on every job its not helping me the small one man band companies lower the tax greedy goverment mr brown get out

Posted by Harry, 10th December 2007 9:01am

Jenny Day, are you for real? ..you're right, fuel isn't expensive and there's still plenty of it in the short term, it's the taxation that is absurd and driving the economy into the ground.

The very same economy that should be working on bio and green friendly sustainable alternatives, but instead is more concerned about building weapons to threaten the Irannians over a nuclear program.

I think it is you who needs to get with the programme ...I doubt any of us here think there isn't a problem, but pretending it's all going to be ok just because we stop using our cars is quite honestly childish.

So by all means put your head up your green bum and your fingers in your green ears and think you're saving the planet, but without a viable economy there is no future, unless your back garden is big enough to grow everything you need to survive.

Posted by Fred Flinstone, 10th December 2007 9:02am

This government has made a big mistake with their fuel taxation, they obviously do not want to be in power next time, they certainly won't get my vote! What about the differential in diesel fuel to petrol? Its really unnacceptable to have it at such a high level, no other European country does that...

Some action is needed now on fuel taxation in order that it is reduced, clearly Gordon Brown doesn't listen to motorists...

Posted by Nigel Coe, 10th December 2007 9:02am

Personally I am all for protests against the price of fuel, I spend in excess of £200 a month just to get to and from work. It just wouldn't be possible to use public transport to get to and from work due to the hours I work and the area I live in.
I hope that we do not have blockades again though, if I can't get to work, I don't get paid.
Maybe if the people making the decisions on pricing lived in the real world, they would think twice about ripping off people who struggle to make a decent living.

Posted by Richard Renshaw, 10th December 2007 9:02am

I have to drive in excess of 50miles each way for college every day. With the government's "education education education" policy, I'd like to see them pay my fuel bill!!

Posted by Graham Carr, 10th December 2007 9:02am

What a sly way for the government to meet its greenhouse gas reductions, (Brown confides in Darling "I know lets keep petrol prices high and joe public and co will not be able to afford to use their vehicles, a 10% cut in Co2 in one hit!) seriously though we are being hit in the pocket at every turn and its time to stand up and be counted.

Posted by Alan Moss, 10th December 2007 9:02am

I personally think we should follow the example of Mahatma Ghandi when he and his supporters set about a course of action of civil disobedience. In the current state of this country there is not enough room to put us all in prison and the police would not be able to cope as their only skills seem to be related to watching us get mugged on their CCTV cameras and servicing Gatso devices to swell their coffers.
It would be individually painful for some of us but we have to show this greedy money grabbing Government (?) that we are ultimately the masters. It is time for civil insurrection. INCLUDE ME IN!!

Posted by Jim Woodley, 10th December 2007 9:03am

The majority of us get paid either once a week or once a month. I wonder how many times each pay gets taxed.
The tax in this country is a scandall!
People say that we have a better police, fire and ambulance service than anywhere else in the world and that's what we're paying for....well....look outside your local supermarket at all the youngsters terrorising the streets and you'll realise its a load of bull. And the killer of the young lad in liverpool that has still not been found.
Petrol prices are ridiculous......we all get urged to work to earn a living and need transport for this....its a complete contradiction.

GET GORDON BROWN OUT!!!!!!!!

Posted by Nic, 10th December 2007 9:03am

Correct me if I am wrong, but a while back Diesel fuel was cheaper than Petrol and now diesel is way above the price of petrol....

Is this another way of making more money out of the motorist? We were urged to change over ot diesel fuel as it was considered cleaner??? Then as soon as, we the motorists, follow this advice and start buying diesel fueled cars, Oh! then they are not making sufficient money from petrol, I know let's hike up the price of diesel. I thought it was cheaper to produce diesel as it does not take as much processing as it does to make petrol....???

So what is going on? Are we the victims of just massive companies making more profit...I have heard that BP is making some ridiculous amount of profit every minute of everyday and all of that is coming out of the pocket of the motorist.

the oil companies will say that they need all that money to fund future oil exploration, why? Our experts are telling us that we are rapidly running out of fossil fuels so why aren't the oil companies funding alternative sources of fuel?

I, like most people on here, am totally pissed off with the way the government, police forces and huge companies just keep squeezing the motorist for more and more money without any proper justification. Well the time has come for this to stop!

I urge everyone to stop buying fuel off one company for just 3 days, ie. let's all boycott Shell, for instance and buy our fuel at other garages and see just how long it takes for Shell to under cut all the other Oil companies just to try and sell some more fuel...COME ONE RISE TO THE CHALLENGE

Posted by Robin Williams, 10th December 2007 9:03am

I do 400 miles a week travelling to work, my car only does 35 mpg, monthly costs of fuel is more than my mortgage. Tax on fuel is way to much, but can we trust a government who can't look after 2 discs to lower it. Promises made by labour are hollow unless we bring the country to its knees and force them to change.

Posted by Mark Kedge, 10th December 2007 9:03am

Yes, I do think it is time to make a stand. The state of our roads is the worst I can ever remember, they're getting downright dangerous. where exactly does the fuel tax go? That is what I want to know and I want to see govt. explain it to us. I support green policies but I do not support govt. using that as a pretext for raising more taxes. Lets not though turn this into a polictical party thing, does anyone really think that the Tories would change things?
We seem to be building a country that only works for the younger able-bodied rich/ well off people. Ill health has forced an unwelcome early retirement. We are living entirely on savings, our pension has disappeared, and at the current rate, we only have enough savings for the next eight to ten years. What happens after that, I have absolutely no idea. I do know that we are now dependant on the car, through no fault of our own. We're still quite lucky, but what on earth is going to happen to those less fortunate? Food prices are rising very fast, what used to be a £60 shop suddenly seems to have gone up to £70.

We're ready to join in.

Posted by Anna Bales, 10th December 2007 9:03am

As a Driving Instructor I have been surprised that there no earlier protests about the fuel increases. It is typical of teh way we have been misled by this government that fuel increases were delayed for a period so that there was no general outcry.
If it stops me working for a while and there is a reduction all in favour of a protest.

Posted by Derek Smith, 10th December 2007 9:03am

Just tell us where and when - I'll get my banner ready! Seriously, I can use public transport at a push - it's not very regular, I wouldn't be able to carry all my shopping as I'm over a mile from the bus stop, but I could do several trips - if I could afford the bus fare! At least I'm reasonably able-bodies but I feel sorry for the old and infirm, the disabled of any age and those having to commute for work purposes. This bloody government doesn't LISTEN - so let's make them!

Posted by Katy Smith, 10th December 2007 9:03am

How can a government justify the prices we pay for fuel considering we do produce oil. Other countries in Europe have prices far less than ours, its just because our government are greedy. We were encouraged to drive diesel cars ( which I understand is cheaper to produce) to save the planet, but we are being penalised with the higher cost of the fuel. We pay tax on tax and it is the motorist that are always the easy route to do this. There is another tax increase planned for next March.

We need our cars for work and pleasure.

Good luck to the protest

Posted by Ian Sutcliffe, 10th December 2007 9:03am

I run a small taxi firm, just 4 cars in a seaside town.
I have done this job for 23 years, the majority of my adult life yet I am wishing now that I had chossen a different path.
This job is hard enough as it is, with earning a lot less than people realise, the long hours, im actually on duty 100 hours a week. It used to be 116 but now I close on Sundays.
Each week now the drivers say how little they earn and I calculate what I didnt earn.
The fuel is killing us off, one by one, we are still capped but you can imagine how much worse it would be if we were not capped.
The cost of fuel each week goes up, £10 extra one week, £20 extra the next, £30 the next until right now it is costing around an extra £70 to £80 per week the fuel the cars.
Just have far are the fuel prices going to go?
when will it start to break 1,000's of small firm up and down the country?

You cant rely on public transport as it is a joke of vast proportions, millions ploughed into to it for very little benefit.

People do not want to be taxi drivers anymore, it doesn't pay.
In the end a taxi will be driven by the owner an this owner will pick and chose the best times in the week towork, so in effect you might have 1000's of taxis on a saturday night and one on a sunday morning.
Things have to change or the so called system that is today will simply break.

Posted by Jerry, 10th December 2007 9:03am

Fuel, alcohol and tobacco are still an easy target for the government and they always try and justyify these price increases by trying to suggest its all being done in our best interests, ie, to save the planet, or, stop binge drinking, or help prevent the chances of contracting lung cancer but if they knock the tax off any off these we'll be in for a stealth tax elsewhere.

Just one thought though from the Devil's Advocate - Why are we prepared to pay more for soft fizzy drinks like Coca Cola, which unlike diesel and petrol is in infinite supply, yet litre per litre costs about twice as much?

Posted by Stu, 10th December 2007 9:04am

Its about time a protest was arranged, long time overdue. We all need to spread the word and round up as many people as possible to support the protest which shouldn't be too difficult.

Government are taking us for a ride, but they are having the last laugh... its got to stop!

Posted by Humed, 10th December 2007 9:04am

its about time we made a stand dont we pay enough tax as it is on other items

Posted by Karl Gray, 10th December 2007 9:04am

Great to hear that we are actually going to take a stance and be heard. Ready to back any protest so lets go for it!

Posted by Gaenor Moore, 10th December 2007 9:04am

After recently loosing my husband my income has dropped by 2/3rds and with the petrol price escalating all the time i am having to think for the first time in many years can i manage without my car as the fuel prices are such that the money i can afford each week for petrol just is not covering the amount of fuel i use. I have had to cancel a trip up North i go on every year due to the petrol costs involved.

Posted by Geraldine Hicks, 10th December 2007 9:04am

Yes, welcome to rip off Britain, or should it be R.I.P. Britain? Last week we were over in Ireland and paid €1.16 for a liter od diesel, that's around 85 pence. Back here it's £1.08 here in the midlands. 23 pence per liter more, God darn bl**dy stupid. But GB does need all the money he can get to either give to the third world or prosecute his war in the middle east! I for one (of many) am fuming. AJ

Posted by Ann James, 10th December 2007 9:05am

I couldn't believe the government when they announced that the recent hike in fuel duty wouldn't be so bad because fuel would still be cheaper (in real terms) than it was during times of recent conflicts. Errr... What about the NEXT conflict??? We have already seen the price rise considerably since the recent duty rise due to the price increase in crude oil.

I am self employed and my biggest yearly expense is fuel. If I pass on this cost to my clients I don't get the work.

Posted by David Crossley, 10th December 2007 9:05am

High taxation to pay for incompetence on a monumental scale ...nothing more, nothing less!

Posted by Fred Flintstone, 10th December 2007 9:05am

The government must be over the moon everytime the fuel companies increase fuel prices as they receive more taxation. Also if your job relies on transport or you live in the country or are disabled you have no option but to pay the inflated prices charged and the government knows this. I believe that any action to influence the cost of fuel is legitimate and we, as drivers, must be prepared to suffer the consequences. There is no gain without pain.

Posted by Mike Calladine, 10th December 2007 9:05am

I live in a rural community where I need a car, with my biggest fuel expense being driving to work. If fuel carries on increasing at this rate I soon won't be able to afford to drive to work; but nevermind, maybe a small portion of the tax I've paid on fuel in the past will go towards my unemployment benefit?!

Posted by John King, 10th December 2007 9:05am

I heard awhile beck about a good way to protest, which is to boycott just the two largest petrol companies - Esso/BP which will force them to lower their prices. . . . .

Posted by M.kerr, 10th December 2007 9:05am

About time, I support any action no matter how disruptive if it can get a result.

When will the government learn that public transport isn't an option for 90% of people? For most it would mean at least doubling the time of the journey, plus I wouldn't like my wife travelling home on the bus when it's dark as it's not safe!

Gordon - i'm sure you can save money by not paying so many benefits to lazy people and immigrants!!!

CUT THE TAX LEVELS!!!!

Posted by Richard, 10th December 2007 9:05am

It went over the £1.00 / litre a while ago and nobody batted an eyelid.

In America, the truckers brought the country to a standstill when the price was hiked.

Typical British folks - another increase - oh well, lets just keep paying it.

Posted by A.j Gardner, 10th December 2007 9:05am
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