- Fuel duty freeze needs to remain for another year says AA
- Snowfall this week and cold winter means more road
maintenance funds needed
- On-street EV infrastructure in need of a boost
- “Drivers are out of the hurricane, but are still being lashed
by the cost-of-living storm” warns AA president
The AA is calling on the Chancellor to retain the current fuel
duty freeze for another 12 months in his Budget on Wednesday, to
help counter the cost of living crisis and hold off an inflation
busting hike to fuel prices.
The Autumn Statement analysis by the ONS says that the fuel duty
freeze due to end at the end of March is also due to increase in
line with inflation originally forecast at 11.6%*.
The AA welcomed the move when the former Chancellor, , announced the 5p fuel duty
cut in March 2022, saying it represented the biggest cut ever,
following a rise in pump prices after Russia’s invasion of
Ukraine. However, there are concerns as it was stated that cut
was just for 12 months but the AA wants it to continue.
Heaping 6p a litre (5p duty + 1p VAT) or £3.30 a tank back on to
the cost of road fuel would be too soon for workers, families and
others who rely on their cars to function in their daily lives,
the AA argues. Pump prices may be down but remain above previous
historical levels - which leaves drivers out of the hurricane but
still lashed by the storm.
Rather than being turned off their cars by high pump prices, the
experience of public transport strikes, reduced bus services and
the need for greater mobility and flexibility in the jobs market
has rammed home why people in the UK are so dependent on their
cars – and why higher costs are so detrimental.
Further to a freeze in fuel duty, the AA is calling on a
significant fund to tackle the worsening condition of roads and
pavements across the UK as well as substantial investment in
on-street EV charging infrastructure.
Edmund King, AA president, said: “Drivers are out of the
hurricane, but are still being lashed by the cost-of-living
storm.
“It would be detrimental to put unnecessary strain on people by
increasing fuel duty. Most goods and services are transported by
road, so waving through higher pump prices onto logistics firms
as well as the driving public will hurt everyone.
“Our message to the Chancellor is that hiking fuel duty will
simply fuel inflation, so it is imperative that he keeps the fuel
duty freeze for another year.”
King continues; “Snowfall this week will inevitably lead to more
potholes and further highlights the dangerous conditions of our
streets. Some pavements are also in desperate need of repair and
without significant funding now, our local infrastructure will go
past the point of no return.
“Major and long-term investment is urgently needed to get our
roads back to safe levels while helping meet our Net Zero target,
as we encourage people to cycle or walk for short journeys.
“Similarly, on-street EV charging needs a boost. Of the 300,000
publicly available charge points by 2030, almost half of these
are earmarked to be on-street solutions**, but just 3,900 are
currently installed using government grants, rising to 10,000 in
the coming years***.
“The latest figures show just 189 councils out of 398**** across
the UK have successfully applied for funding, potentially leaving
massive blackspots for the 40% of homeowners without dedicated
off-street parking. More help is needed to encourage councils to
take up the grants, with equal focus on urban, suburban and rural
communities to deliver a fair and accessible charging network.
“To help with skill shortages, we would also like to see
mechanics and HGV drivers added to the Government’s shortage
occupation list.”
ends
NOTES TO EDITORS
* Economic and Fiscal
Outlook - November 2022 (obr.uk)
** See page 133: UK electric vehicle
infrastructure strategy - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
*** Electric vehicle charging
device grant scheme statistics: January 2023 - GOV.UK
(www.gov.uk)
**** See tables 5 and 7 here:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1139442/electric-vehicle-charging-device-grant-scheme-statistics-january-2023.ods
