Nearly two thirds of drivers want Rishi Sunak to freeze or cut fuel duty

NEARLY two thirds of drivers want Rishi Sunak to freeze or cut fuel duty, according to an RAC poll.

The motoring group say a freeze or cut would boost those who have no choice but to drive and give a shot in the arm to the economy.

But 48 per cent expect the Chancellor to ignore calls not to hike duty.

The poll of drivers saw 45 per cent want the tax to stay at the same level and 26 per cent wanted to see it cut by 2p.

Only seven per cent of drivers thought it should go up by 2p.

Privately Tory MPs are confident the duty will be frozen for the tenth year thanks to Trending In The News’s Keep It Down campaign.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “With petrol prices already having risen by 6.5p since the start of the year drivers might already be feeling squeeze at the pumps.

“This is only likely to increase as the pandemic lockdown begins to be eased and we all start driving more regularly.

“A rise in fuel duty on Wednesday would therefore heap yet more misery on drivers, and could have particularly serious impacts on those on the lowest incomes who have no choice but to use their cars.

“And by increasing costs for consumers and businesses, a fuel duty rise would also risk stifling the economic recovery.”