Fuel hikes force drivers to sacrifice basic items

NEARLY two in three drivers in Scotland have cut back on “essential items” such as food and clothing because of the price of fuel, the RAC claimed today.

Scottish drivers are cutting back on non-essential trips because of rising fuel costs, a new poll claims. Picture: TSPL

• Poll suggests around two in three drivers sacrifice “essential items” to buy petrol

• Motorists in Scotland facing greatest financial pressure

• Half of Scottish drivers stopping non-essential trips to save fuel

It said a poll showed motorists north of the Border were under the greatest financial pressure in the UK, with fewer than half of drivers in London cutting back spending.

The motoring group said half of drivers in Scotland had stopped non-essential trips to save fuel, with 64 per cent saying it had harmed their social life and 22 per cent saying it had caused problems at work.

RAC technical director David Bizley said it had been a relief that the 3p fuel duty increase planned for September had been scrapped in last month’s Budget.

He said: “With so many people struggling day-to-day to make ends meet and being forced to limit use of their motor vehicle, the [UK] Government had to take this decision to ease the financial burden on drivers.

“Despite the fuel duty freeze, there has never been a more expensive time to be a motorist and we will continue to lobby the Government alongside FairFuelUK to raise awareness of the hardship faced by the UK’s motorists and ultimately drive down costs at the pumps.”