Fuel Card News Motoring Updates: Federation of Petroleum Suppliers calls for fuel duty increase to be scrapped

The Federation of Petroleum Suppliers, along with north west business organisations, is calling for the Government to scrap the fuel duty increase planned for next year.

Many members of the Knutsford-based organisation are said to be in the ‘fuel poverty bracket’.

Mark Askew, chief executive, said: “Any additional cost passed to the end user was going to make the situation worse. It’s really bad news for consumers at the moment because everywhere they turn they are faced with increases in essential household bills.”

Forecourt operators will also be affected by fuel duty increases which could result in even more closures. With a shocking 600 forecourts closing each year, there are now only 8,500 left open, fewer than there were in 1912.

According to the Forum of Private Business, fuel duty hikes in 2012 could put companies that are already struggling out of business.

Chancellor George Osborne has been put under mounting pressure this week to abandon the planned 3p per litre increase.

MPs unanimously demanded the Chancellor consider scrapping the fuel duty rise and backed a motion calling for a new price stabilisation mechanism.

The debate was triggered by an e-petition calling for action on rising fuel prices which attracted more than 100,000 signatures.

The ministers have promised to look into the possibility of scrapping the 3p rise in fuel duty planned for January next year.

Campaign spokesman for FairFuelUK, Quentin Willson, said: “MPs are unanimous that duty is causing despair. The Government said they are listening – let’s wait and see. More duty rises in 2012 would be electoral suicide.”

In other news, between 2008 and 2010 local authorities across England raised an extra £184 million from parking charges, according to new figures.

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