Rachel Reeves has been warned that freezing fuel duty is 'not going to be enough' for drivers and motorists amid the fallout from the Iran war. Sarah Coles, Head of Personal Finance at AJ Bell, explained that fuel duty cuts alone were 'not going to enough' with the Gulf war hitting drivers hard in their pockets.
Expert Warns on Fuel Duty Freeze
Sarah Coles issued a warning to the Labour Party Chancellor, stating: 'One of the best ways to save on fuel is to think carefully about your driving habits, and whether there are alternative ways to travel. When you head out, you can also try to combine short trips into one, which is more fuel-efficient than popping out every time you need something.'
'You can improve fuel efficiency too, by doing things like making sure your tyre pressure is correct, driving more smoothly with less acceleration and braking, and not carrying any unnecessary loads in the car.'
Practical Tips for Drivers
Coles added: 'It's worth using a price comparison tool online. Don't go out of your way for cheaper petrol, because you'll soon burn through any savings, but you can try to fill up somewhere cheaper when you're passing.'
Industry Reaction
Responding to the Government's plan to scrap the planned increase in fuel duty, Nick Connor, CEO of the IMI, said: 'We welcome the Government's decision to scrap the planned fuel duty increase.'
'With pump prices already at their highest level in years due to the conflict in Iran, any additional burden on motorists and the businesses that depend on the road network would have been extremely damaging.'
'The motor industry is on the front line of this cost pressure – our members see every day the financial strain that rising fuel costs place on their own business operations as well as drivers and fleets.'
'Freezing duty is the right call, but it is only a partial solution. We would urge the Government to keep the situation under close review and stand ready to do more if pump prices continue to climb.'
