Andy Burnham urged to chop petrol by 12p and slash rail tickets by the Lib Dems
Sir Ed Davey has demanded fuel duty is cut by 10p to save cash-strapped Brits. The Liberal Democrat leader urged Andy Burnham to do it to ease the cost of living, arguing it would save motorists 12p per litre at the forecourts.
He also wants to cap bus fares at just £1, down from £3, reduce rail tickets by 10% and cut VAT on public electric vehicle charging stations. The wallet-friendly measures are to be introduced immediately and last until at least Christmas under the Lib Dems plan, which has been estimated to cost “about £2billion on an annual basis”.
Speaking at the Liberal Democrats’ conference, Sir Ed explained how it would be funded: “What we see through the higher oil prices and gas prices is the Government taking a lot more money in, in three or four areas.
Ed Davey enjoyed a doughnut(Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)
“The energy profits levy will bring in a lot more because of the windfall profits that the oil and gas companies are making.” He added: “The cost-of-living crisis is ripping through families across Britain. For years, millions of people put up with Conservative incompetence because they hoped that at least their tax bill might go down.
“Now, people have been left high and dry by a Labour government continuing the same tax-and-spend doom loop. My message to voters across the country who feel politically homeless is simple: take a look at us.
“We agree with you on the big issues like taking responsibility for tackling climate change, protecting our basic rights, and championing British traditions.”
Ed spoke during the Lib Dem conference in Brighton(Image: Getty Images)
He added: “Crucially, we are now the only party with a proper plan to bear down on costs facing host households, grow our economy and end this fiscal crisis.
Sir Ed also outlined how to deal with Donald Trump — “stand up to him”. “The problem with Mr Trump is unless you stand up to him, he rolls you over,” the Lib Dem leader said.
“Look at those countries who have stood up to him. Take Mark Carney for example. You would have thought the Canadians sharing a land border with the United States would be a bit more subservient — far from it.
“They have stood up on the economy, on trade and the economy.”
