Anne Marie Morris used an intervention in a Westminster Hall debate secured by Robert Halfon MP to call on the government to introduce a fuel duty stabaliser (sometimes called a price stablisation mechanism) that would see fuel duty fall when oil prices rise. She also backs Mr. Halfon’s call for the planned fuel duty rise scheduled for August to be scrapped.
Anne Marie said:
“I have consistently called on the government to reduce fuel duty since being elected as a MP and I was disappointed such a measure was not included in the budget. Although I recognise the government has previously provided considerable assistance to our motorists, the fact of the matter is that the cost of keeping the car running is currently stretching household and business budgets to breaking point.
“I will keep pushing the government to at least consider abandoning the planned August fuel duty increase. In addition, I believe we must also give serious consideration to introducing a proper fuel duty stabiliser. I will be writing to the Chancellor to raise these issues shortly.”
TEXT:
Anne Marie Morris (Newton Abbot) (Con): May I propose that my hon. Friend add a fourth suggestion to the list, that we consider a proper price stabilisation mechanism, rather than a fuel duty one? At the moment, the tax can go up, but it never comes down.
Robert Halfon: As so often, my hon. Friend has hit the nail on the head. We need a fair fuel stabiliser that looks at prices at the pump, so that when the international oil price goes up tax at the pump goes down. That really would be a fair fuel stabiliser.