Osborne urged to cut fuel duty as prices rise

FUEL campaigners yesterday urged Chancellor George Osborne to take “decisive action” in next month’s Budget by cutting duty to stave off record prices.

The call from FairFuelUK followed new AA figures that showed petrol and diesel prices had increased by 6p since last month, and predictions that they would rise a further 3p by Easter.

Fuel duty is due to be increased by 3p in September.Petrol is now only 5p a litre below the UK record of 142.48p set last year, while diesel is within 3p of its high of 147.93p.

FairFuelUK spokesman Quentin Willson said yesterday: “Fuel prices are out of control and are now the biggest financial issue faced by UK consumers.

“Fuel sales are at their lowest for 23 years, yet pump prices have risen 6p in the last 30 days. We are urging the Chancellor to decisively cut fuel duty.”