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John Caley's avatar

Tory chancellor Jeremy Hunt (did I get that right?) introduced a 'temporary' 5p reduction in fuel duty in 2022. At the time petrol was over £1.90 a litre. That reduction has remained, together with no index-linked increase in duty, ever since. In her first budget, Reeves extended it to April 2026.

The big question is why?? And the only answer must be that the Treasury and Department for Transport (DAFT - as Private Eye call them) are shit-scared of the motoring lobby and the right-wing press. Well stuff them.

They could stick 10p on a litre and petrol would still be cheaper than it was a year ago. And yes, it would cost motorists money, but would raise £billions and surely that's better than shafting pensioners and the disabled with tory-lite austerity measures.

And, to address the obvious criticism, a report by the Social Market Foundation:

"The stated objective of holding down fuel duty is to protect hard-pressed drivers, but our research shows that the richest fifth of households have benefited twice as much as the poorest. Richer households tend to drive more, own more vehicles, and buy less fuel efficient SUVs."

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Gezim Deshiri's avatar

Very nice

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