HAVE YOUR SAY: Petrol prices
Motorists already facing rising pump prices were hit by another Government fuel-duty increase last night.
Despite intense lobbying to get it to reverse its decision, the Government pressed ahead with a planned 2p a litre rise in fuel duty today.
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With VAT included, the rise will actually be 2.3p at a time when the average price of petrol has risen to around 105p a litre.
Motoring organisations fear that the 2.3p a litre increase could soon become a 5p rise as oil prices worldwide increase.
The RAC said that a 5p increase would meant the average two-car family spending an extra £120 a year on petrol.
The duty rise will be the third in nine months following rises in April and December. Petrol prices at the start of 2009 were roughly 85p a litre but could now reach 110p a litre within weeks.
This rise of 25p over the past nine months equates to roughly £300 extra per year per car, or £600 more a year for the average two-car family.
A total of 67 per cent of the cost of a litre of a fuel goes to the Government.
What do you think about the latest rise and the prospect of VAT returning to 17.5 per cent?
Is the motorist being ripped off by the Government? Should hauliers be given a discounted rate?
Are motorists now simply a cash cow for the government or is high fuel duty the best way to get people out of their cars and onto public transport?
Have your say using the story comment facility below.
59 Comments
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by MR MP, glos
Monday, October 12 2009, 2:07PM
“I think the tax increase on petrol is desperatlely needed as the extra revenue generated will get the wife off my back regarding the swimming pool that requires cleaning.Also it means that the Christmas party crackers will be bought from harrods this year unlike those awful ones we had from M and S last year!See you in the smoking bar inside the house of commons.
regards Mr MP”
by Peter, Cheltenham
Saturday, September 12 2009, 6:30AM
“With all this talk of £1.05 a gallon i wonder where some people buy their petrol.I filled up wednesday and the cost was 95.9 a gallon; i suggest people look around before they buy.Where did I buy my petrol ? Sainsburys, Chelt. You can get 5p off that price if you spend £50 in Sainsburys store.”
by Jan, Gloucestershire
Tuesday, September 08 2009, 6:35PM
“Neil from Cheltenham wrote: Oil reserves are being used up rapidly .."
Neil, let me assure you: there is PLENTY of oil and gas left in the world! And I know: I work for a major oil&gas exploration and production company. The shortage myth is just that: a myth. The global total "proved and recoverable reserves" will keep us going for many decades and generations to come.
I am not suggesting it's OK to just burn fossil fuels, but the story of "we better do something: we are running out of oil" is utterly nonsense.
Just to let you know. No panic of that front!”
by Jan, Gloucestershire
Tuesday, September 08 2009, 6:25PM
“Let¿s recap over the past year or so.. When the oil price was up, so did the fuel at the pump, everybody can understand that. Then.. the oil prices went down, BIG time! Guess what: our government decided to INCREASE tax since ¿people won¿t feel the difference since they are used now to pay this amount at the pump¿
So.. imagine the oil price goes back up again (and it will, matter of time) do you expect the tax to go down again?!? HAHA!
Oil priced are the best excuse for the government to raise taxes, so that people blame the oil companies for the higher prices where in fact the government screws us around. Almost 70% (!!!!) of what we pay at the pump is tax!
The next excuse for tax increases? The environment¿ Don¿t get me going on this one..”
by chris, stonehouse
Monday, September 07 2009, 9:14PM
“diesel and petrol is nearley £5 A gallon thats a lot of money for a little fuel,im in transport cant pass costs on customers wont have it, go to the competters,we swollow the costs yet again .this governent are out to kill our transport industry,vosa out to kill us gov out to kill us we dont stand a chance us hauliers,and we bring food fuel and vitel supplies to the industrys,good bye to the british people we dont stand a chance”