The Conservatives will table an Opposition Day motion on Wednesday to try to block the proposed September rise in fuel duty, but it is unlikely to pass because of Labour’s large Commons majority
Prime Minister Keir Starmer will address the nation today . . . during his usual weekly noon slot of Prime Minister’s Questions. But shortly before that, the Conservatives will attempt to force a Commons vote on axing the “disgusting” planned fuel duty rise amid rocketing oil prices triggered by the Middle East crisis.
During a tough week for the UK around the fears of a Meningitis spread and more WW3 fears due to the US/Iran war, the opposition party will present an Opposition Day motion on Wednesday to try to prevent the proposed September increase, though it is unlikely to succeed due to Labour’s substantial Commons majority.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has attempted to heap pressure on the Government over the matter as Iran’s threats have choked a crucial shipping route for oil and gas, pushing up prices.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves have emphasised that tax policies are always kept under review, but that it is too early to forecast what petrol prices will be when the change is due to take effect in the autumn.
Fuel duty has been frozen since 2011, and was temporarily reduced by 5p in 2022 in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. At her budget last year, Ms Reeves said the 5p reduction would be gradually reversed from September.
Mrs Badenoch said on Tuesday: “It is disgusting that Labour are planning to hike fuel duty in the middle of an energy crisis. For 14 years Conservative governments froze and even cut fuel duty, because we back drivers.
“Tomorrow I’m going to hold a vote in Parliament and force Labour MPs to decide whether they’re on the side of families and businesses that rely on their vehicles, or they are going to prop up Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves’ terrible decisions yet again.”
A Treasury spokesperson stated: “This Government inherited a broken financial situation that included plans from the previous Government to increase fuel duty after the general election.
“We have the right economic plan. We have extended the 5p fuel duty cut to September to save drivers £49, and our new fuel finder will ensure drivers get a fair deal at the pump.”
A Labour Party spokesperson said Sir Keir was acting in the “national interest” with a “calm-headed” approach to leadership and accused the Tories of having “wanted to drag the UK into war in Iran, yet now seem to be surprised by the immediate consequences of the conflict”.
“As the Prime Minister has made clear, fuel duty is frozen and will remain frozen until September, and the situation will be kept under review in light of what is happening in the Middle East,” they said.
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