Nuneaton MP Marcus Jones has welcomed the announcement by the Chancellor, George Osborne, to cancel the planned 3p increase in fuel duty 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 would have seen prices jump 3p per litre.

The Chancellor, George Osborne MP, who was extensively lobbied by Marcus and many other MPs came under increasing pressure to cancel the planned increase in fuel duty put in place by the previous Chancellor, Labour MP Alastair Darling, and despite the need to deal with the deficit left by the last Government, which costs UK taxpayers £120m a day in debt interest – the Chancellor made the welcome decision to support motorists, hauliers and consumers.

During debate in the House of Commons recently, Marcus praised the action already taken by Government on fuel prices, but stressed that any rise in fuel duty would hit not just motorists and hauliers but everyone as most goods that we all consume are carried by road.

The Chancellor has now confirmed in his Autumn Statement, delivered to MPs this afternoon, that the 3p fuel duty rise due in January is to be delayed or frozen.

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 was also deeply concerned about the potential impact the planned increase in fuel duty would have had on local people and local businesses, particularly haulage and distribution firms, of which we have many in Nuneaton who are such important employers.

“I know the decision not to increase the fuel duty by 3p per litre will be met with widespread relief, particularly given the difficult state of the UK and European economies at the moment.”