Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Fuel Costs: Support for Motorists

Tuesday 28 April 2026 · 7 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government extended the 5p per litre cap on fuel duty for five months and cancelled an inflation-linked increase to mitigate rising fuel costs.
  • Scotland faces higher fuel costs compared to other countries, with intervention measures seen in Spain, Poland, Germany, France, Italy, Ireland, and Australia but not in the UK.
  • Government plans include increasing grants for electric vehicles and making progress with permitted development rights for on-street charging to support the transition to EVs.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Wendy Morton Con Aldridge-Brownhills
Economy Energy
Context

Discussion on the impact of fuel duty on cost of living and potential economic consequences.

Question

What assessment has been made of the potential impact of fuel duty on the cost of living? I am concerned about the increase in fuel prices, which is harming businesses and motorists. What measures are being taken to mitigate these effects?

Answer from Dan Tomlinson

The Government have already taken action on fuel affordability at the pump by extending the 5p per litre cap for five months and cancelling the increase that would have otherwise taken place in line with inflation at the start of this financial year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address the specific ask about a detailed assessment of the impact of fuel duty on cost of living, only mentioned actions taken to mitigate it.

How: Mentioned Actions Taken But Did Not Provide An Assessment

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Q2 Dave Doogan SNP Angus and Perthshire Glens
Economy Scotland Energy
Context

Criticism of Chancellor's lack of action on fuel duty compared to other countries, focusing on the Scottish context.

Question

If you were a gardener with a Renault Trafic or a builder with a Ford Ranger in Scotland, you would be paying over £150 just to fill up at the pump. Why are we seeing intervention from Spain, Poland, Germany, France, Italy, Ireland and Australia but not here? We want to hear what the Chancellor will do about diesel specifically.

Answer from Dan Tomlinson

The Scottish National party has had ample opportunity to invest in energy, infrastructure and changes needed for our economy. However, on fuel duty it is important that we stick to the current plan rather than returning to high borrowing and interest rates of the past.

Not addressed: Did not address specific ask about diesel fuel duty action in Scotland; shifted focus to economic plans instead.

How: Shifted Topic Away From Question

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Q3 Gagan Mohindra Con South West Hertfordshire
Economy
Context

Concerns over fuel price increases and their impact on the economy versus previous Conservative economic plans.

Question

If rising fuel prices rather than the Chancellor's Budgets are blamed for a stagnating economy, why does raising fuel duty further in September help reduce cost of living? Will this harm the economy more?

Answer from Dan Tomlinson

Before conflict in Iran, we saw inflation falling, unemployment dropping and growth increasing by 0.5% at start of year. Our economic plan is showing results; sticking to it avoids high borrowing and interest rates seen previously under Conservative rule.

Not addressed: Did not address specific ask about potential harm from raising fuel duty; focused on broader economic success instead.

How: Shifted Topic

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Q4 Wendy Morton Con Aldridge-Brownhills
Energy
Context

Criticism of Labour's stance on fuel prices and their protest against them.

Question

Labour is at war with motorists. Reform's protest was not effective. Will the Chancellor adopt Conservative plan to extend fuel duty relief?

Answer from Dan Tomlinson

I agree that Reform's protest was underwhelming. On fuel duty, it is currently lower than any point under previous Government and has been since 1993.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address specific ask for adopting Conservative plan; only compared current rates to past ones.

How: Comparison Without Commitment

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Q5 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Transport Energy
Context

Discussion on the need for greater support in transitioning to electric vehicles due to volatile fuel prices.

Question

The fuel duty freeze is welcome but petrol and diesel prices are rising again. Is it time to give more support to those who want to make transition to electric vehicles? Will Government confirm plans for easier home charging and cheaper electricity?

Answer from Dan Tomlinson

We see continued uptake in electric vehicle purchases; more were bought in March than ever before. We are increasing grants for EVs and making progress with permitted development rights for on-street charging.

Answered
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Q6 Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
Energy Business & Trade
Context

Concern over fuel price disparities in Merthyr Tydfil compared to other areas, including London. Request for assistance from Chancellor and Competition and Markets Authority.

Question

Even before Middle East conflict, fuel prices were 10 10p per litre higher than neighbouring towns. Even London was cheaper than Merthyr Tydfil. I have met suppliers with limited success. Can the Chancellor offer any help or urge CMA to ensure fair play for my constituents?

Answer from Dan Tomlinson

All garages are on new fuel finder website. We have been discussing with CMA about competition in this industry. If I can help get a meeting, I will assist.

Answered
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Q7 James Wild Con North West Norfolk
Economy Energy
Context

The Conservative Party froze fuel duty for 14 years. Labour plans to increase it by 5p, which would cost families £150 £150 a year and hauliers £2,000.

Question

Whereas the Conservatives froze fuel duty for 14 years, Labour is planning to increase it by 5p, costing families £150 a year and hauliers £2,000. When the Chancellor was asked to reverse her hike, she said she was “loath to spend Government money” to do so. There is no such thing as Government money; there is only taxpayers' money. Rather than increase taxes again, will she actually help households and businesses facing higher prices and scrap this fuel hike?

Answer from Dan Tomlinson

We on the Labour Benches are fiscally responsible. We will make sure that we continue to get borrowing down in a sustainable way, as we did over the last financial year, when borrowing fell by £20 billion. Whenever the Conservatives have had the chance, they have borrowed more, which pushes up interest rates for families and means that we have to have higher taxes in the long run. That is not the approach that we will take. The plans that the Conservatives set out in their final Budget before they left office would have seen fuel duty increase every single year. Instead, we have frozen it since we took over.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Scrapping the planned 5p fuel duty increase

How: Fiscally Responsible, Continue To Get Borrowing Down

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