3p on fuel duty in January would be a step too far, says the RAC

RAC technical director David Bizley says: “Any increase in fuel duty is likely to be the final straw for drivers who are already struggling to put fuel in their cars as demonstrated last month when petrol sales for the first half of 2012 showed 2 billion fewer litres of fuel were bought compared to the same period before the recession in 2008.

“The RAC’s 2012 Report on Motoring revealed that people have already been forced to cut out discretionary journeys but now the price of fuel is starting to hit household budgets even harder, particularly those who have to drive longer distances to get to work.

“Our survey of 1,000 motorists found that 29% said they would cut out social engagements and a quarter (25%) would stop driving to family commitments if the price of fuel continued to rise. It is a sad indictment of British motoring taxation that families are being driven apart by the ever-escalating cost of petrol and diesel, especially as it’s money that’s going straight to the Treasury as opposed to being spent on maintaining or building new roads.

“The irony – as our colleagues at FairFuelUK have been pointing out today - is the Government would generate far more money by reducing fuel duty and stimulating the economy than they will if they decide to add 3p in January as planned.”