Nuneaton MP Marcus Jones has urged the Government to cancel its planned increase in fuel duty, due to be introduced in January. This follows the MP’s endorsement of campaigns by the Federation of Small Businesses and the Fair Fuel Campaign and over 100,000 respondents to an e-petition asking the Government to abandon the next increase in fuel duty, which could see prices jump 3p per litre. The campaign also called 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, Labour MP 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.

During a debate in House of Commons yesterday, Marcus praised the action already taken by Government on fuel prices, but believes it needs to go further by cancelling planned increase in January.

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, as well as in the shops, where fuel price increases are often passed onto consumers.

Commenting on fuel prices and the economic situation, Marcus said: “I am very sympathetic to the difficult position the Chancellor and the Government is in. I’ve said before that it is 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 the planned increase in fuel duty will have on local people and local businesses, particularly haulage and distribution firms, of which we have many in Nuneaton 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 from my constituents on relatively modest incomes struggling to pay their bills who 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.”

“I have therefore urged the Government not to introduce the duty increase in January.”