MP calls for freeze on Fuel Duty ahead of 2016 budget
Gavin Newlands, the MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has joined calls for the Chancellor of the Exchequer to freeze fuel duty ahead of the 2016 Budget on Wednesday 16th Match 2016.
The SNP call – backed by the FairFuelUK campaign – follows warning signs that the chancellor is planning to hike up the petrol tax in a cash-grab on families and motorists to fill in a black hole in his budget. Tax currently makes up 70 per cent of the total price of a tank of petrol or diesel.
Gavin Newlands, the MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said:
“Now is simply not the time for the Chancellor of the Exchequer to raise the price of petrol. The government should be supporting businesses and cash-strapped families - not picking their pockets and punishing them at the pump.
“This cash-grab plan is completely illogical and utterly irresponsible. If the Chancellor gives the green light to a tax-hike in his budget, all it will do is pile on pressure to businesses and squeeze household budgets.
“I hope the Chancellor will see sense on this issue and commit to freeze fuel duty in the budget on Wednesday.”
Backing the SNP call for a freeze on fuel duty, Howard Cox, founder of FairFuelUK, said:
“It would be economic lunacy to hike fuel duty, when it is already the most punitive in the EU. FairFuelUK have shown repeatedly that the economic evidence supports a real cut in duty resulting in real fiscal benefits for the UK.
“This evidence is even endorsed by the Chancellor’s own Department. The Chancellor must not make a quick cash grab on fuel duty, and we support and are very grateful for the SNP’s efforts to oppose any rise in duty in this year’s Budget.”
