Forum calls for moratorium on fuel duty rises

Ahead of January’s planned 3p increase in fuel duty the Forum’s Senior Policy Adviser, Alex Jackman, issued the following statement:

“A 3p rise in January would be nothing short of economic vandalism in the current climate, and conceivably be the worst possible start to the new year for cash strapped small businesses.

“There’s a real opportunity for the Chancellor now to show he’s in tune with businesses by offering up an early Christmas present in the Autumn Statement with news January’s rise has been ditched.

“Quite frankly we would like to hear Mr Osborne announce a freeze on fuel duty for the foreseeable future. The less duty consumers pay on fuel means more money swilling around the economy, and an outright freeze will also provide more stability for small firms to plan ahead for 2013 while encouraging consumers to spend.

“We also think that the Government must postpone any rise until the OFT has come back with the findings of its fuel investigation. This is just common sense, and we hope the Government makes the right call here.

“Hammering motorists may seem like an easy option for the Government but high fuel prices affect everything and everyone in the country.”