Harlow’s MP, Robert Halfon, has for many years been the “long-time motorists champion” in Parliament. He is well known for his campaign to freeze fuel duty, which has resulted in a 12-year fuel duty freeze - saving the average Harlow motorist £15 every time they fill up.
But, with record prices at the pumps, Mr Halfon has stepped his campaign up a gear. Writing in The Sun over the weekend, he said: “Fuel prices are fast becoming unaffordable for motorists, especially those who depend on their cars.”
He explained that “The average family is paying £16 more to fill up their tank than a year ago, and in rural areas with traditionally higher pump prices they are having to find £20 extra. The impact of rising fuel prices on the cost of distribution and transport logistics is also crippling. Hauliers are forking out £120 more to fill up than in February 2021, while for white-van men and women it is £25 more every time they fill up. The rising price of fuel also affects bus prices.”
This has resulted in the Harlow MP calling on the Chancellor to “cut fuel duty or VAT in the Budget on March 23.”
He is also calling for the Government to “establish a Pumpwatch monitor” which would ensure that prices at the pump are in line with wholesale oil prices. At present, when wholesale oil prices rise, prices at the pumps rocket, but when wholesale prices fall there is a feather approach to reducing the cost to motorists.
It’s clear that Harlow’s MP will not be easing the break on his campaign to cut the cost of living and in fact, it seems his crusade to cut fuel duty is moving into the fast lane.
