The government is set to freeze fuel duty this autumn and offer hauliers a 12-month road tax break as concerns grow over rising fuel costs linked to tensions in the Middle East.
The measures are expected to form part of a wider package of announcements aimed at easing mounting cost of living pressures for households and businesses across the UK.
Fuel prices have come under increasing pressure in recent weeks as instability in global oil markets raises fears of further increases at petrol stations. Any prolonged disruption to supply or sharp rise in crude oil prices is likely to feed directly into the cost of petrol and diesel for UK drivers.
For motorists already managing higher household bills, the decision not to increase fuel duty will offer some welcome relief heading into the autumn and winter months.
The road tax support for hauliers is also designed to ease pressure on the transport and logistics sector, where rising diesel costs continue to have a major impact on operating expenses and supply chains.
Political debate over energy policy intensified at Westminster, with Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch challenging Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the government’s approach to Russian oil sanctions and North Sea energy production.
Starmer defended the government’s position, arguing that sanctions on Russia were continuing to tighten overall while insisting oil and gas extraction in the North Sea remains ongoing and will continue for years.
The latest intervention highlights growing concern within government about the impact rising fuel and energy costs could have on inflation and everyday living expenses if geopolitical tensions worsen further.
Commenting on the announcement, Gordon Balmer, Executive Director of the PRA, said:
“Rising fuel prices continue to place real pressure on drivers, families and businesses across the country. I have been urging Government to recognise the impact these increases are having, so the decision not to add further costs through fuel duty will come as welcome news for many motorists at a difficult time.
“Drivers looking to reduce costs further can also compare local fuel prices using the PetrolPrices.com app.”
While the fuel duty freeze may help limit immediate increases at the pumps, motorists will still remain exposed to movements in global oil prices and wholesale fuel costs in the months ahead.
Drivers across the UK will now be watching closely to see whether the measures are enough to prevent further pain at the pumps as uncertainty in global energy markets continues.
BUT they won’t reduce any taxation to reduce the overall price So NOTHING CHANGES.
It hasn’t been ‘scrapped,’ simply put back a few months!
They already receive a rise in tax income through vat and duty on fuel price increases so the crooks aren’t giving the public anything.
Fuel retailers and producers are profiteering off the Motorist.
Prove me wrong.
They will also get windfall taxes from the extra billions the oil companies are getting!!
If everyone knew the true inflation rate Britons are facing I’m sure there would be riots everywhere!!!
The way the inflation rate is calculated on a whole range of things like domestic appliances, TVs, airline flights etc. these are NOT everyday living costs which we all know are much higher than the media tells us!!!