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Fuel Duty
18 March 2026
Lead MP
Richard Holden
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EconomyTaxationAgriculture & Rural Affairs
Other Contributors: 45
At a Glance
Richard Holden raised concerns about fuel duty in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The House believes it is wrong to increase the main fuel duty rates on specific dates in 2026 and 2027, as global oil prices are rising. These increases will affect drivers, farmers, businesses, and other hard-working people struggling with higher taxes and cost of living due to the Government's economic policies. Richard Holden emphasises that the Labour Government is reversing a Conservative policy that froze fuel duty for 13 years.
Richard Holden
Con
Stroud
The House believes it is wrong to increase the main fuel duty rates on specific dates in 2026 and 2027, as global oil prices are rising. These increases will affect drivers, farmers, businesses, and other hard-working people struggling with higher taxes and cost of living due to the Government's economic policies.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Agrees that reopening North sea production can produce enough fuel for our needs if the Government continues to refuse to secure fuel elsewhere. Argues that fuel duty would benefit from self-reliance rather than dependence on volatile nations.
Graham Stuart
Con
Beverley and Holderness
Argues that the Labour party's policy fails on its own terms, as it says they want to subscribe to net zero and make us greener in how we approach our energy consumption. He emphasises that importing liquefied natural gas from countries such as the US has a carbon cost multiple of extracting the stuff in this country within our territorial sea.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Argues that if the Government are serious about net zero, they would pump LNG from the North sea, not import it from the US. He emphasises that importing liquefied natural gas from countries such as the US has a carbon cost multiple of extracting the stuff in this country within our territorial sea.
Louie French
Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne West
Highlights that local authority road maintenance budgets halved from £4 billion to £2 billion in the 13-year period from 2006 to 2019. He also emphasises that both sets of drivers are being hammered by this Government, who have not thought through the consequences of their policy.
David Mundell
Con
Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Argues that in large rural constituencies, constituents pay additional fuel duty at the pump as well as through everything they buy. He emphasises that this tax rise is doubly regressive.
Luke Evans
Con
Beaconsfield
Points out that the Prime Minister stood there on Monday saying that the freeze is still in place, but the world has literally changed around us. He shares concern that this Government are not being reactive and following the change.
Carla Lockhart
DUP
North Antrim
Agrees that fuel duty should be cut, VAT should be removed and the North sea opened up along with dealing with fertilisers and red diesel, which are heavily impacted too. Emphasises that we need support for people now.
Blake Stephenson
Con
Stirling
Emphasises that the Conservatives froze fuel duty for 14 years, taking £100 billion off the cost of driving, and in contrast, this Government have increased taxes by £66 billion in the past two years.
Harriet Cross
Con
Folkestone and Hythe
Argues that for the 2024 Budget, the Chancellor stood there and said increasing fuel duty would be the wrong choice for working people due to uncertain global events and high cost of living. She points out that the position has not got any better.
Lindsay Hoyle
Lab
Chorley
Order. You have referred to “Rachel Reeves”, but she is the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I do not think that “Ed” is quite the right title either, and I know that you would not want to get that wrong.
Lindsay Hoyle
Lab
Chorley
Maintained order during the debate, intervened on Torsten Bell about the government's approach to fuel duty and economic growth in light of recent geopolitical events.
Acknowledged the impact of rising fuel costs and announced that the Government extended the 5p per litre fuel duty cut for five months, cancelling the inflation-linked increase planned for 2026-27. He noted that these changes will save motorists over £90 on average.
Graham Stuart
Con
Beverley and Holderness
Pressed Torsten Bell to address the impact of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, emphasising the importance of new North sea licences for energy security and tax revenue. He also quizzed about the effectiveness of current defence spending.
Julian Lewis
Con
New Forest East
Indicated assent to a previous point but did not contribute a full speech in this excerpt. Questioned Torsten Bell on comparing current defence spending levels with post-cold war periods rather than cold war-era standards.
Simon Hoare
Con
North Dorset
Asked if the Chancellor would consider increasing fuel duty given recent geopolitical changes, and suggested that clarity is needed now to help families manage their budgets.
Inquired about a framework or trigger points for future decisions on fuel duty adjustments. Also questioned support for gas-intensive industries facing rising costs.
Tim Farron
Lib Dem
Westmorland and Lonsdale
The impact of rising fuel costs is devastating for rural communities. Diesel prices have reached up to 170p a litre, petrol nears 140p a litre, and heating oil prices have doubled or tripled overnight in many areas. This affects the ability to budget and live sustainably. Rural public transport services are under threat due to increased costs, while over 35% of homes in some rural communities rely on heating oil due to being off-grid. The Government's fuel duty rise exacerbates these challenges for small businesses and farmers, who already struggle with national insurance rises and direct payments ending by December this year.
Even in rural constituencies, constituents often rely on cars to reach public transport hubs like train stations, highlighting the importance of affordable fuel costs for those commuting from rural areas into urban centres.
In my constituency, a mother's daughter relies on specific prescription food that must be kept at ambient temperature. Due to rising heating oil prices and the inability to secure deliveries at all, there is fear of future crises and the need for price caps on rural heating oil.
Ben Lake
PC
Ceredigion
The current fuel price spike has serious consequences for businesses in my constituency, especially those off-grid. Many are cutting back operations and considering closure due to the increased financial pressure from rising energy costs.
Harriet Cross
Con
Aberdeen North
Rural communities face significant challenges due to increased fuel duty and the proposed pay-per-mile charge for electric vehicles. Constituents must drive longer distances, often over 28 miles just to access basic services like banking or healthcare. Harriet Cross raises concerns about de-industrialisation in oil and gas sectors, citing job losses, tax revenue decreases, and the export of skilled workers due to government policies.
Simon Hoare
Con
North Dorset
He agreed with his colleague’s criticism and expressed frustration at the lack of imagination in Government responses. He emphasised the need for immediate help alongside long-term regulation, noting the disproportionate impact on rural communities where heating oil is used by a higher percentage of households compared to urban areas.
Wendy Morton
Con
Aldridge-Brownhills
She supported her colleague's point about the universal impact of fuel price increases, highlighting that even non-rural constituencies are affected. She questioned whether Labour MPs were lobbying their Chancellor to reduce taxes.
He asked if the other 400 Labour MPs were currently in a huddle with the Chancellor to lobby for reduced fuel duty or had gone home, implying that they are not actively addressing this issue despite its widespread impact.
Joy Morrissey
Con
Beaconsfield
Fuel duty is a war on the motorist, affecting hard-working families and small businesses. It will hurt pensioners and those who rely on cars for daily activities such as school runs or work commutes. The fuel duty increase will push many into poverty and financial strain given current economic conditions.
James Wild
Con
North West Norfolk
The proposed fuel duty rise is damaging to rural communities, farmers, small businesses, and families who rely on cars for essential activities. It will cost the average family £150 more annually and add £2,300 per year to HGV operating costs. The Conservative government previously froze fuel duty; Labour's approach is raising taxes and failing to support hard-working people.
Peter Fortune
Con
Bromley and Chislehurst
Critiqued Labour's policies regarding fuel duty, arguing they disproportionately affect motorists. He highlighted the impact on his constituents in Bromley and Biggin Hill, where car ownership is high due to unreliable public transport. Emphasised the financial burden of driving charges and tolls on workers and businesses, calling for an end to 'Labour’s war on motorists'.
Siân Berry
Green
Bristol West
Supported the Government's stance against freezing fuel duty but criticised the regressive nature of such a policy. Highlighted the financial impact of continued freezes, arguing they benefit wealthier households more than poorer ones and pointed out the rising costs of public transport despite fuel duty freezes.
Various interventions from multiple members discussing the impacts of fuel duty on bus fares and rural communities, with a focus on the financial strain it places on families relying on buses for daily activities such as schooling.
Nusrat Ghani
Con
Wealden
Ordered speakers to indicate whose intervention they are taking and managed the debate's flow, addressing points of order from other members regarding language used in interventions.
Luke Evans
Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Critiques the Government's cost of living measures, arguing that they are ineffective. He emphasises that during his tenure as an energy PPS in the Home Office, the Conservative government made a £200 unconditional payment to off-grid users, contrasting it with Labour's current policies which only provide £35 per person for those using heating oil. Evans also stresses the negative impact of rising fuel duty on rural communities and businesses, suggesting that this is part of a 'toxic concoction' of economic policies that hinder growth and increase costs for households.
Dave Doogan
SNP
Angus and Perthshire Glens
Critiques the Government's approach to taxation, emphasising the regressive nature of a proposed fuel duty increase. Highlights specific challenges faced by rural constituencies due to geographical isolation and limited public transport options. Cites examples from his constituency regarding higher fuel prices compared to urban areas and the impact on household heating costs.
Melanie Ward
Con
Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy
Responds to Dave Doogan's intervention, questioning whether he would acknowledge that the SNP Scottish Government has higher taxes than in England. Raises concerns about cuts to police numbers and long waiting lists for NHS services under the SNP government compared to improvements seen in England.
Robbie Moore
Con
Blackpool North and Cleveleys
Opposes Labour's plan to increase fuel duty, stating it will negatively impact hard-working businesses, families, hauliers, and those involved in the logistics industry. Criticises the Chancellor for boasting about households being better off despite rising inflation.
Melanie Ward
Con
Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy
Intervenes again to address Robbie Moore's comments, arguing that lifting the two-child benefit cap will assist children living in poverty within working households. Suggests an ideological difference between supporting work through incentives versus providing handouts.
Tom Hayes
Con
Dewsbury
Defends the government's position on lifting the two-child benefit cap, stating that it assists working families in poverty. Questions whether the opposition considers those benefiting from this policy as workshy.
Luke Evans
Con
Cardiff North
Supports incentivising work by adjusting universal credit cut-off limits to ensure more money is kept for additional work hours, contrasting this with Labour's approach of providing handouts.
John Lamont
Con
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Highlights the impact of rising fuel prices on rural constituencies, citing an example where diesel prices have increased significantly in Coldstream. Suggests that constituents are reconsidering job offers due to impending fuel duty increases.
Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey
My constituents in Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey face disproportionately high energy costs due to geographic size. They pay the highest prices for road fuel, heating oil, tank gas, and electricity with high standing charges. Successive Governments have allowed discriminatory energy pricing which is exacerbated by high transport and operational costs for businesses and public services. Rural areas are colder and produce more energy but pay less compared to users hundreds of miles away. The Government has failed to address this issue over the past two years despite its urgency. Public authorities struggle with unpredictable fuel price increases, impacting capital projects and day-to-day operations. The energy profits levy needs immediate change while maintaining a transition towards renewables. A pilot £2 cap on bus fares in Scotland is progressive, acknowledging that people commuting long distances should not face excessive costs. The Scottish Government has doubled heating oil funding but more support from the UK Government is necessary.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Mr Smith criticises the lack of support from Government Back Benchers for the fuel duty increase, highlighting that it disproportionately affects rural communities. He supports the Conservative view on the matter and emphasises the regressive nature of the tax rise. Mr Smith argues that the tax burden is exacerbated by VAT on top of fuel duty, effectively making the 5p rise more than a 6p increase at the pump. He also discusses how such policies impact crime rates, inflation, and overall economic stability.
Dan Tomlinson
Lab
Nantwich
Thanked Members for contributions, highlighted the current conflict in Iran and its impact on global energy markets. Emphasised the Government's focus on de-escalation to protect economic stability and living costs. Discussed fuel duty, stating it was lower than in previous years under Conservative rule but currently frozen. Mentioned a rural fuel duty relief scheme for rural communities.
Luke Evans
Lab
Wrexham
Asked the Government to set out a timeline and assess implications of decisions so that the country can plan around potential domestic factors related to the conflict.
Jonathan Brash
Con
Wyre Forest
Accused Opposition parties of championing an illegal war in the Middle East and trying to divert attention with nonsensical arguments regarding fuel duty.
Harriet Cross
Con
Gordon and Buchan
Asked about extending a pay-per-mile scheme for electric vehicles to petrol and diesel cars, clarifying that the charge per mile on EVs is not a gateway for extension to other vehicle types.
Government Response
Extended the temporary 5p per litre cut to fuel duty and cancelled an inflation-linked increase for 2026-27, emphasising economic challenges due to geopolitical conflicts.
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