Attempted bid to delay fuel duty rise fails

Attempted bid to delay fuel duty rise fails

The bid, brought about by Labour, was to attempt to delay the increase in duty until April at the least. Labour contended that the rise of 3 pence per litre would be a strain on households with money troubles, and that the delay in the price rise would act as a buffer for cash-strapped families. However, they were defeated in the House of Commons by 282 votes to 234, a government majority of 48.

The rise in fuel duty was initially due to be phased in last August. However, in June, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said that he would delay the increase for five months. The Treasury has said that at the moment, fuel prices are currently "...10 pence a litre lower than under the previous government's plans... Since coming to office the government has listened to the concerns of motorists about high pump prices and acted". If the bid by Labour had been won on Monday the postponement would not have been legally binding, but would have certainly been an embarrassment for the government.

Product-testing and consumer campaigning organisation Which? recently produced a survey about the country's feelings about increasing fuel prices. 85% of those surveyed (2,100) said they had concerns about the price rises, with 10% saying that they had had to use their savings to cover the costs of keeping and running their car. Also, 39% of those surveyed said they would be attempting to curb their motoring costs.

You can read the full survey by Which? here: http://www.which.co.uk/news/2012/11/record-number-of-consumers-fear-rising-fuel-prices--301559/

WMCW Admin

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