Motoring expert calls for cut in fuel duty

A MOTORING expert has called on the government to cut fuel duty, as drivers come under ever-increasing financial pressure at the pumps.

TV presenter Quentin Willson said that the 1p duty cut announced in the Budget was never even seen by the majority of drivers, as the rising underlying cost of oil wiped it out.

Launching a campaign by FairFuelUK, he said: "Global uncertainty is leading to a price surge in the cost of oil. It seems that everyone's a winner in this rising price bonanza: the oil-rich countries, the speculators, the oil companies, the UK government. The only people that are losing out are the hard-pressed businesses and motorists who are suffering more now than in the run-up to the Budget.

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"The government cannot just stand by and see the rising cost of fuel push us back into recession. If they don't act, I can see the 1.60 litre, the 1.80 litre and, heaven forbid, even the 2 litre. The government should start to cut duty to help the economy."

A Treasury spokeswoman said: "The Chancellor has been clear that the British government does not control the world's oil price. But by cutting duty and deferring the planned rise, a litre of fuel is 6p cheaper today than it would have been if we had not taken action."

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