MP calls on Chancellor to cut proposed fuel duty rise

Local MP Tim Farron has today written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer calling on him to axe the planned fuel duty rise in his budget this month.

Labour announced the fuel duty increase in its final budget in power and it will come into force soon. Recently 120,000 people signed a petition which was handed into Number 10 this week stating their opposition to the duty rise.

The average price per litre has now reached 130.03p for unleaded petrol and 135.44p for diesel, a record high. Tax accounts for 63% of the price of fuel at the pump.

Recently the Department for Work and Pensions announced that significantly fewer people than had previously been calculated signed up for Jobseekers Allowance in the early months' of 2011. This news coupled with the higher than expected quarterly tax figures; have meant that the Treasury will have more room for manoeuvre at this month's Budget than was previous thought.

Tim would like to see the Treasury use this opportunity for some spending in the Budget to axe the proposed fuel duty rise and help hard working people in the South Lakes.

Commenting, Tim said; "High fuel prices are causing real hardship in South Lakeland. I think we need to help hard pressed families and businesses and an easy way of doing that is cutting the cost of fuel. I am calling on the chancellor to use his budget to help us in the South Lakes by doing this.

"In rural areas like ours a car is not a luxury it is a necessity. So from now until budget day I will be pressing treasury ministers to seriously look at this plan and make sure we provide relief to as many people as possible."