FUEL DUTY TO BE FROZEN FOR NINTH YEAR

Prime Minister Theresa May will confirm later today that fuel duty will remain frozen for the ninth year in a row.

Her move to persuade familiesthat the government is“on their side” comes after speculationthat the tax on fuel could be raised to supplement the country’s coffers.

In her speech to the tory party conference, the Prime Ministerwill say :“some have wondered if there would beat haw in our fuel duty freeze this year.

“Today I can confirm that, in the budget later this month, the Chancellor will freeze fuel duty again. Money in the pockets of hard working people from a Conservative Government that is on their side.”

Fuel duty was scheduled to increase by 2p per litre next year, but mrs may’ s announcement means it will remain at the same level since 2010.

According to the RAC Foundation, taxation currently makes up 61 per cent of the price of petrol and 60 per cent of diesel.

Chancellor Philip Hammond said that the continued cap on fuel duty comes at“significant cost to the Exchequer” but would support hard working families in the face of fuel prices which have reached a four-year high.

Mr Hammond had previously said that continuing the fuel duty freeze would cost the Treasury £38 billion over the next three years.

The move was welcomed by AA president Edmund King, who said :“the fuel duty freeze will bring relief to millions of drivers and businesses across the UK. The high pump prices are already forcing many families to cut back on journeys, household expenditure or both. I had written to the Chancellor on this issue. so it is pleasing to see the Prime Minister deliver.”