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.

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.