Kemi Badenoch has called on Andy Burnham to axe the looming 5p fuel duty hike. The Conservative Party leader warned that Mr Burnham’s move will hammer drivers and increase inflation.
Badenoch's warning on fuel duty
The Tories' leader also challenged the new Labour Party government to rule out tax rises to pay for his policy blitz, which has included a new bus fare cap, VAT being scrapped on energy bills and more. Questioned if Mr Burnham should axe the fuel duty hike, she said: “The Conservatives froze fuel duty throughout the 14 years we were in office.
“There is a cost of living crisis and increasing fuel duty will only make that worse. And it’s not just going to make it worse for drivers. It will make it worse for anyone who relies on deliveries and anything that relies on transport to do their business.
“It will increase inflation. It is not necessary. So that’s the sort of thing which he should be finding the money for.” She said: “He needs to rule out tax rises to pay for his spending spree.”
Labour's response
A Labour Party spokesperson hit back at Ms Badenoch saying the “economy-crashing Tories haven’t got a clue”. They added: “Andy Burnham is bringing back hope after Kemi Badenoch’s Tory Party nearly broke Britain.
“More of the same failed Tory politics that let people down for years is a recipe for disaster and will only hold Britain back.”
Background on fuel duty
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced back in May that the fuel duty freeze would be extended to help households struggling with rising costs. The Government had previously planned to introduce the 5p a litre rise gradually this year. It had been set to rise by 1p a litre on September 1, 2p on December 1 and another 2p on March 1 next year.
