Fears over Budget tax rise on petrol and diesel

DRIVERS have been warned they could face a rise in fuel duty in next week’s Budget.

Tory MPs and members of Fair Fuel UK will meet Treasury minister Damian Hinds today to urge restraint.

The meeting follows a weekend report citing an unnamed minister who claimed motorists would hardly notice an extra 2p on petrol.

It comes after Chancellor George Osborne refused to rule out increasing fuel duty last month

MP Jason McCartney said: “We’ll be mobilising all the supporters of the Fair Fuel group in Parliament.” The RAC Foundation has also called on Mr Osborne to spare motorists, claiming the cost of transport is already “the biggest household expense”.

The motoring organisation said 74p in every £ 1 paid at the pumps goes to the Treasury as fuel duty or VAT.

A possible rise in fuel duty could come despite falls in petrol and diesel prices.

The Treasury said yesterday talk of a rise was speculative.