MP welcomes fuel duty freeze

South lakes MP Tim Farron has today welcomed the Chancellor's decision to scrap an increase in fuel duty planned for August this year.

Speaking in Parliament today, the Chancellor George Osborne announced that he would suspend the planned 3p per litre increase, following significant pressure from MPs including Tim. Earlier this year, Tim was one of more than 80 MPs who signed a motion calling on the Government to cut fuel duty, which places an unfair burden particularly on those in rural areas who rely on their cars much more than those in urban areas.

Commenting, Tim said: "In rural areas like ours, a car is not a luxury, it is a necessity of life and fuel costs are a major issue particularly for hardworking local families who are struggling to make ends meet already.

"Increasing fuel duty at this time would be destructive for growth, which we need in our economy now more than ever. That's why I've been campaigning for the Government to drop their planned fuel duty increase and why I'm delighted that they have listened and taken this important step forward.

"I will however continue to campaign for a fuel derogation pilot that would slash 5p off the cost of petrol at forecourts in Kendal, Ambleside, Coniston, Windermere, Witherslack and Newby Bridge."