Campaigners Protest Over Record Fuel Prices

Last Updated 09:32 07/03/2012
Car drivers and hauliers will lobby Parliament later to protest against sky-high fuel taxes and rising petrol pump prices.
They will present a report to 10 Downing Street calling for a cut in fuel duty before a mass lobby of MPs.

Organised by FairFuelUK, the protest comes after average UK petrol prices hit a record high of 137.79p a litre.

The Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) report says that even a modest cut in fuel duty of 2.5p per litre would create 180,000 new jobs.

The main findings of the report were given to Treasury Minister Chloe Smith last week by FairFuelUK spokesman Quentin Willson and the organisation's founder Peter Carroll.

Their meeting took place after separate findings showed UK drivers were paying the highest fuel taxes in Europe.

Mr Willson said on Tuesday: "We have shared the findings of this report with MPs and ministers.

"However, with only weeks to go to the Budget, we are concerned that the Government is not listening and not taking on board the significance of these findings.

"Families and businesses are being crushed by these cruel levels of tax - 82p on every litre we buy. It's damaging the economy and holding back growth."

Mr Willson went on: "The people are clamouring for the Government to look at fuel duty.

"This research shows that a cut in fuel duty won't cost the Treasury a penny. It can cut duty and do any of the other options if it so wishes.

"So it is wrong of the Government to say it's a choice between a fuel duty cut and other measures. It can, and should, cut fuel duty now."