RISHI Sunak today announced that fuel duty will be frozen for the TENTH year running in a major victory for the Sun’s legendary Keep It Down campaign.
The Chancellor confirmed tax on petrol and diesel won’t be hiked as he delivered the details of his 2021 budget to the Commons.
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Unveiling the Budget Mr Sunak said: “Right now, to keep the cost of living low, I’m not prepared to increase the cost of a tank of fuel.
“So the planned increase in fuel duty is also cancelled.”
It comes after Boris Johnson told Trending In The News: “I firmly believe that the economic recovery is going to be powered by white van man amongst others.”
The hated levy has been frozen at 57.95p per litre after plans to hike it were abandoned amid fears it will punish drivers who are helping the country bounce back.
At the weekend Mr Sunak insisted: “I would like to be able to keep taxes low for people in general.
“I’m a conservative and I believe in that.”
And a Treasury source said: “Throughout this crisis the Chancellor has protected the wallets of hard working Sun readers and that will continue at this Budget and beyond.”
The stunning victory for hard-pressed drivers – who already pay the most for at the pumps in Europe – comes after a decade of campaigning by Fair Fuel UK and Tory MPs led by powerful backbencher Robert Halfon.
Mr Halfon said: “A big thank you to the Sun Keep it Down campaign and Fair Fuel UK.
And he said the move shows “cutting the cost of living isn’t just a slogan but a meaningful pledge from Boris.”
“Millions of motorists will breathe a big sigh of relief as the Chancellor has recognised their plight.”
Howard Cox, Founder of FairFuelUK said: “It would be churlish, not to thank the Chancellor and the Prime Minister for maintaining the freeze in Fuel Duty for a 10th successive year.
“It has been a tortuous journey convincing the Treasury year after year that this fiscal policy has positively benefitted the economy.”
“Motorists, van drivers and truckers across the UK will be pleased at this protracted decision from the Chancellor.
“They will hope this is just the start of more pro motoring policies, which have been sadly lacking in this Parliament.”
Former Transport and Cabinet Minister, Chris Grayling welcomed the freeze adding:“We must remain on the side of the motorist.
“Most people depend on their cars to get to work and for their daily lives. Right now, with so many families under financial pressure, this would have been totally the wrong moment to push up their cost of living.”
And Tory MP Julian Knight said: “I’m pleased given the war on motorists most left wing luvvies want us to declare, that the Chancellor has decided to bolster Britain by retaining the fuel duty freeze, now we need better roads, an end to punishing congestion charges, and an honest debate on the merits of cars and lorries.”
