M
By John Millar
Posted 5 days ago
Fuel duty rise could cost the country over £7bn
The RHA (Road Haulage Association) has warned the Chancellor that scrapping the fuel duty freeze in the Autumn Budget could increase household living costs by £7.3bn between now and 2029.
As a result of a 5p increase, overall consumer prices would jump 0.3% - draining £2 billion from UK households annually. For the average car-owning family, that's £100 extra annually. By 2029, this climbs to £360.
Commenting, RHA Managing Director, Richard Smith said:
"Diesel costs more here than anywhere else in Europe, and over half of every pound at the pump already goes to Government. Road freight transport firms keep shops stocked and building sites running, but they've been squeezed in recent years. A fuel duty increase would be a hammer blow to a key industry already operating on tight margins.
"When businesses face higher fuel costs, the costs don't disappear. They flow through the supply-chain. This means households pay more for the weekly shop and energy bills. The essentials are hit hardest, and lower-income families feel it most.”
Richard added:
"We're urging the Government to keep fuel duty frozen. At a time when many budgets are stretched thin by cost-of-living pressures, we need to be honest about the real-world impact of fuel duty increases.
It's not just about motorists. It's about how we move goods, feed families, and keep the economy running.”
Commenting, RHA Managing Director, Richard Smith said:
"Diesel costs more here than anywhere else in Europe, and over half of every pound at the pump already goes to Government. Road freight transport firms keep shops stocked and building sites running, but they've been squeezed in recent years. A fuel duty increase would be a hammer blow to a key industry already operating on tight margins.
"When businesses face higher fuel costs, the costs don't disappear. They flow through the supply-chain. This means households pay more for the weekly shop and energy bills. The essentials are hit hardest, and lower-income families feel it most.”
Richard added:
"We're urging the Government to keep fuel duty frozen. At a time when many budgets are stretched thin by cost-of-living pressures, we need to be honest about the real-world impact of fuel duty increases.
It's not just about motorists. It's about how we move goods, feed families, and keep the economy running.”
