Fuel duty frozen for another year

Fuel duty will be frozen for the ninth consecutive year, confirmed the Prime Minister today.

Speaking at the Conservative Party Conference, Theresa May said the party is on the side of “hard working families”.

Had the fuel duty escalator continued as planned from 2011 onwards, fuel duty today would be 83.33 pence per litre rather than 57.95 pence per litre, 43.8% higher.

FairFuelUK has been consistently lobbying the Government to reduce pump prices and welcomes the freeze.

“The ‘’just about managing’ will breathe a huge sigh of relief that duty is frozen for the ninth year. Thank you, Prime Minister, for seeing common sense. It’s now time for this fragile Conservative Government to work with 37m drivers to put together a long-term strategic road transport plan that motivates tax payers, the economy and the environment. Mr Hammond should also look into the mirror and ask why he is so out of touch with reality,” said Howard Cox, founder of FairFuelUK.

In September 2018, the Chancellor of the Exchequer suggested that the fuel freeze has been associated with lost revenue of approx. £46 billion over the eight years. However, CEBR analysis suggests that the freezing of fuel duty may help the Treasury to save for example approximately £14.5bn in yearly financing costs over the long term.

Had the fuel price escalator been in place, 37m hard working drivers would have been paying £1.70 per litre at the pumps, says Cox.

Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow, added: “Great news after a strong campaign with FairFuelUK and Howard Cox. Motorists are safe for another year. Delighted that the Treasury has listened to millions of drivers across the UK. Fact remains lower fuel duty means a boost to the economy.”

The UK currently has one of the highest fuel duties in the world at 57.95ppl, despite the freeze in 2011 to date. At 25 September 2018 spot exchange rates, German fuel duty comes in at 50.5ppl, Australia is at 21ppl and while the USA’s average level is 10.4ppl.