Nuneaton MP Marcus Jones has endorsed campaigns by the Federation of Small Businesses and the Fair Fuel Campaign, both of which are applying pressure to the Government to abandon the next increase in fuel duty planned for April, which could see prices jump 5p per litre. The campaign also calls on the Government to implement a fuel price stabiliser that will help control the cost of fuel on a long term basis.

The Chancellor, George Osborne MP, is coming under increasing pressure to cancel the planned increase in fuel duty put in place by the previous Chancellor Alastair Darling despite the need to deal with the deficit left by the last Government, which costs UK taxpayers £120m a day in debt interest.

The current problems in the Middle East are exacerbating the problem and adding to the cost of fuel at a difficult time for families and business.

Marcus believes that in Nuneaton, there are many local haulage firms that are struggling to cope with the increasing costs and many families are also feeling the pinch at the pumps.

Commenting on his decision to support the campaigns for fairer fuel prices, Marcus said:

“I am very sympathetic to the difficult position the Chancellor and the Government is in. It’s scandalous that the UK is spending £120 million per day on interest to pay the debt left by the last Government, so dealing with the debt is the country’s first priority. However, I am also deeply concerned about the impact any increase in fuel duty will have on local businesses, particularly haulage and distribution firms of which we have many in Nuneaton and who are important employers.

“These businesses have to pay for their fuel up front and yet can wait up to 90 days for an invoice to be paid by their customers - which causes a huge strain on cashflow.

“I also hear every week of numerous examples of families on modest incomes struggling to pay their bills that need fuel in order to get to work. There is also a knock on effect to non-motorists because when fuel costs go up the prices in shops usually increase as well, as many businesses simply pass on the increase to customers.”

More information about the campaign can be found at http://www.fairfueluk.com.