Conservatives demand Labour axe their fuel tax hike and Fuel Britannia instead
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Labour's plans mean fuel tax will rise by 3p per litre on 1st
January and a further 2p on 1st March for a total of 6p with VAT
included, hammering drivers Diesel prices are set to rise again,
with the shortage lasting well into 2027, spelling more pain at the
pump for families and firms Badenoch visits haulage business in
Paisley, one of many hard-hit by Labour's tax rises and red tape,
where she calls on Labour to Fuel Britannia by Getting Britain
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The Conservatives are demanding that Labour abandon their fuel tax hike and instead Fuel Britannia with North Sea drilling, as families struggle with the rising cost of living and businesses battle to make ends meet. Kemi Badenoch will today (Friday 16th October) visit a haulage business in Paisley, where she will hear about the damage done by Labour's tax rises and red tape, as drivers prepare for increases in fuel duty this winter. Earlier this year the Conservatives forced Labour into a u-turn, with Ministers abandoning plans to increase fuel duty. Now, with a new Prime Minister and Chancellor, Labour are trying to fleece motorists once again, at the same time as prevaricating over new oil and gas licences in the North Sea. It comes amid soaring costs thanks to the global diesel crisis, with the International Energy Agency warning the shortage is set to continue until mid-2027. Last month, worldwide wholesale prices reached $220 a barrel, representing more than double the rate before the Iran War. The UK has only four operating refineries after the closure of Grangemouth and Lindsey last year, and the largest remaining one, Fawley, will be closed until November for maintenance, putting even greater strain on supplies and therefore on prices. In the UK, research by Moneysupermarket for the Road Haulage Association this week found van drivers face a £2.5 billion cost from the diesel crisis, with the average annual fuel bill soaring by up to £700, spelling more pain at the pump. The Association's Chair previously warned that hiking fuel duty will be a hammer blow for many small businesses, pushing up the cost of living for families across the country. The situation is being compounded by Labour's net zero obsession, which is heaping more misery onto drivers and damaging the economy. Last week the boss of Renault UK called on Labour to walk back their delusional net zero emissions targets, saying that demand has not kept pace with ZEV mandate and manufacturers could not maintain unsustainable levels of discounting for ever. He warned that the current rules are putting investment in the car industry in danger. Labour are also committed to introducing a ban on new petrol and diesel vans and lorries from 2040, despite a Road Haulage Association report finding the cost a driver faces for running an electric HGV could be as much as 18 per cent higher than the cost of running a diesel one. The Conservatives, in contrast, will back drivers and scrap the ZEV mandate and the ban on diesel vans and lorries, allowing families and businesses to choose what vehicles are right for them. Labour are also planning to introduce a pay-per-mile road tax from April 2028, with petrol and diesel users paying more. The Conservatives will reverse this cruel attack on people simply trying to get around in a cost-effective way. Meanwhile energy bills are soaring for families and businesses too, as Labour's ideological approach has left us exposed to global shocks. Andy Burnham has repeatedly delayed his decision over the Jackdaw and Rosebank oil and gas fields because he is desperate to avoid a fight with his own left flank. The Conservatives, in contrast, will prioritise cheap and reliable energy. We will Fuel Britannia by scrapping the ban on new licences and getting Britain drilling in the North Sea. While Labour have sent prices up and up, our Cheap Power Plan will cut family bills by £200. Britain cannot afford more tax rises. As well as ruling out any new taxes at the Budget, the Chancellor must freeze fuel duty once again and spare families and businesses the pain of paying yet more to the Treasury, only to see it handed straight back out in welfare to people who do not work. Richard Holden MP, Shadow Transport Secretary, said: Andy Burnham promised that this would be a cost of living Government'. Yet just months into his premiership he is preparing to hike taxes on fuel, hitting families and businesses hard. People are already struggling with the costs of the diesel crisis, Labour's net zero red tape and the mess they have made of our energy supply. They can do without another bill courtesy of Westminster. Andy Burnham should halt Labour's war on motorists and he should begin by axing the fuel tax hike and adopting our plans to Fuel Britannia instead. Harriet Cross MP, Shadow Scotland Secretary, said: Labour's fuel tax hike will be another bitter blow for families and businesses in Scotland and across the UK. Prices at the pump are a real indicator of the pressures on people's finances, and we cannot afford for Labour to ignore them. If Andy Burnham is serious about giving people breathing space' this winter, he must axe the fuel tax hike. ENDS Notes to Editors Labour are pushing up the price of petrol and diesel:
Fuel prices are already at record highs:
The Road Haulage Association has warned that fuel duty increases will increase the cost of living:
The Conservatives will cut energy bills for families and businesses:
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