AA calls for fuel duty cut to be extended as an increase will ‘hit households and businesses and further fuel inflation’

The AA are calling on the Chancellor to extend the 5p cut in fuel duty as motorists are in a “nightmare” over rising costs.

The AA are calling on Jeremy Hunt to keep Rishi Sunak’s, then the Chancellor, to keep in place the 5p fuel duty until March 2023.

AA president Edmund King, speaking ahead of next week’s Autumn Statement, said, “Any increase in fuel duty would hit households and businesses and just further fuel inflation.

“The 5p cut in duty should not be removed in March, especially if fuel prices remain high as the Treasury benefits from VAT on higher fuel prices.

“On expenditure we have asked the Chancellor not to skimp on road maintenance funding as it is the number one concern for drivers and defective, potholed roads cause extensive damage and can be fatal for those on two wheels.”

A Treasury spokesperson said, “Countries around the world are facing rising global energy prices driven by Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine, and we know this is affecting people here in the UK.

“That is why to help alleviate pressures faced by drivers, we introduced the biggest ever cash-terms cut to fuel duty until March 2023.

“And to help people manage other household costs we are reforming national insurance to put £500 on average back into the pockets of 30 million people and saving the typical household £700 this winter through the Energy Price Guarantee.”