Crisis-hit public
THE MAJORITY of people want VAT on petrol and diesel removed to help the country through the cost-of-living crisis, a Sunday Express poll has found.
Seventy per cent of those quizzed were in favour of axing the Government levy on fuel, with 39 per cent “strongly” supporting the move.
Only eight per cent were opposed, with just two per cent “strongly” objecting, according to research carried out by Redfield and Wilton Strategies.
In March Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a temporary cut in fuel duty of five pence per litre for 12 months, but the Government is under pressure to do much more as households struggle with soaring inflation.
Former minister Robert Halfon, who chairs the education select committee, said: “Boris has made great strides in cutting fuel duty by 5p.
“But let’s really have that Brexit dividend and go further, getting rid of VAT on petrol and diesel once and for all.
“If he does it, millions of motorists will be thanking the Prime Minister and perhaps might forgive Partygate.”
When asked which Government measure would do most to help Britons struggling with the cost of fuel, 51 per cent of respondents said scrapping VAT while just 29 per cent suggested a windfall tax on the profits of energy companies.
According to the RAC Foundation, as of Friday petrol cost on average 174p a litre at the pumps – of which 29p was VAT. Diesel cost on average 183p, withvat accounting for 30p.
Altogether, 47 per cent of the cost of a litre of petrol and 46 per cent of a litre of diesel was made up of duty plus VAT plus environmental taxes and fees.
Steve Gooding, the director of the RAC Foundation, said: “For millions of people running a car is as big and important a part of their household expenditure as paying the gas and electricity bills.
“With the cost of filling up an average petrol or diesel car already around £100 and still rising, there’s a clear case for the Chancellor to step in to help households, many of which are dependent on their cars for going to work, to the shops or getting the kids to school.”
He added: “If the Chancellor finds it too difficult to make a meaningful cut in fuel duty he could slash VAT. He’s had a VAT windfall, surely now’s the time to give hard-pressed households a share?”
Andy Mayer, an energy analyst with the Institute of Economic Affairs, urged the Prime Minister to listen to the electorate. He said: “The public are wiser than the politicians when it comes to who’s to blame for high energy prices. We can