Commenting on news reports discussing the possibility of fuel duty being increased in this autumn's Budget, RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said:

"Motorists contribute around £46bn of motoring-related taxation to the Treasury each year so pay their fair share in tax. Pump prices are now at their highest level in four years, and given that drivers are spending around £8 more to fill up their tanks each time they are at a petrol station than they did a year ago, we'd argue that this is not the time to be considering a fuel duty rise.

"It is also important to note that the Treasury has been benefiting from the additional VAT drivers are having to pay as a result of higher fuel prices".