Osborne moves on fuel tax

I havew been greatly concerned about the impact of fuel prices on families and businesses, so I am very pleased that the Chancellor has acted in the budget to introduce the Fair Fuel Stabliser which we proposed while in opposition.

The Chancellor announced an immediate cut in fuel duty of 1p per litre, funded by a £2 billion-a-year windfall levy on North Sea oil. He also postponed a 5p rise in fuel duty which had been scheduled by the previous Labour government for next month.

“We are putting fuel into the tank of the British economy,” he said.

At ten to five yesterday afternoon - in other words, minutes before the close of the working day before the budget - the Labour group on Copeland council proposed a motion in favour of cutting tax on petrol.

While there is more joy in heaven over one sinner that repents - it was Labour that introduced increase after increase in fuel tax, and there wasn't a squeak of progest from any of the Labour members of Copeland Borough Council during any of the thirteen years in office of a Labour government which repeatedly increased tax on petrol - this motion was put forward far too late to be have any chance of being taken into account when the budget was being prepared.

If the motion had been moved at the January meeting of the council it could have been considered as a genuine attempt to persuade the government to address a problem. To propose it the day before the budget was just a transparent piece of political posturing which had everything to do with the forthcoming local elections and nothing whatsoever to do with decreasing the price of fuel or helping families and businesses in Copeland.

Comments

Jim said…
I was pleased to see that the government is listening to people on this issue, as you know its one i feel very strongly about.

I wont comment on the fuel stabiliser as yet as i dont know enough about exactly what has and has not been introduced as yet.

The 1p a litre cut is also a good start, far better than the proposed raise. I have written to my MP on this issue 3 times, and other than a single "the chancellor got it wrong increasing the VAT on fuel" standard letter, I received no further reply.

I understand that there is not much money available for tax cuts etc, however to milk so much from fuel, an essensial here in cumbria can not continue, Its for that reason I dont think that the 1p cut in fuel duty will end this issue, not by a long shot. But at least I know that the government is capable of listening to the average person and will take measures to act.
Tim said…
Interesting, the day before the budget my local petrol station increased its prices by 1p per litre. The price came down the next evening to where it was before, cynical or what ? Whilst we scrabble around for a few coppers to meet ever rising bills we might remember that membership of the EU costs as much as £112 billion pounds per year, but that's money well spent isn't it ?
Chris Whiteside said…
Jim, you make some excellent points and I entirely agree.

Tim - yes, there are some very cynical moves at times. Makes you less sympathetic to the oil companies Osborne hit with his extra tax to fund the petrol duty reductions.

Though I don't agree that EU membership costs us anything within an order of magnitude of £112 billion.
Tim said…
"The Secretary of State's performance today has confirmed, yet again, that he is the only Member of this House who can really run overseas aid. Given that, will he confirm that the extra £21 billion the previous Government forced us to pay to the EU to provide aid in the poorer EU states should come into his Department?"

A recent quote from Tory MP Peter Bone - a large sum of money better spent in Britain rather than given to the EU.
Jim said…
I happen to agree and think that britain would be better off without the EU.

However, i think that this thread should be more dedicated to rock oil (petrolium) from the latin, petros = rock, olium =oil.

well if i do nothing else at least i try to educate :)
Jim said…
Tim is actually almost correct on this,
The cost of the Eu is really difficult to answer as the info changes from source to source and day to day.

However at the moment the UK pays the EU £17.52 Billion per year, of this we do get "a rebate" of (after Tony) £9 billion, but that comes with clauses, on where and how it can be spent. so you cant put it into the NHS, but you can put it into the beacon is a good example there.

so where is the rest of the 112 billion as quoted, well its closer to 110 billion to be honest but it comes from various sources each one is different. Its basiscally the cost of implementing the laws of the EU. the cost to trade because of EU laws, and the problems of import because of EU laws.

I just wanted to make this point and make it as clear as day, i do beleive on the whole that tim is probably closer to the figure.

now obviously you dont need to post this on your blog, but, it really is something you need to be aware about.

If you doubt my EU figures you could always contradict. ( the figures quoted and mentioned here will appear on mine in time. its the post i am least looking forward too, but there we go

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