From September, UK motorists are set to experience a costly change at petrol stations, with families potentially paying an additional £156 a year due to a planned fuel duty increase. According to fresh analysis from the Conservative Party, the upcoming 5p per litre rise in fuel duty—staged to roll out starting September under Labour Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer—will place extra financial pressure on households already struggling with rising living costs.
Fuel prices are driven higher by global economic factors, including the ongoing Middle East crisis. The hike in fuel duty will add to these costs, impacting typical journeys and budgets. For instance, a petrol car covering an average 7,400 miles annually will see fuel duty payments increase from around £495 today to £573 by 2029. This translates to an extra £78 annually per petrol vehicle and, consequently, about £156 for families with two petrol cars.
Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden criticized the Labour government’s decision, stating that the hike will “hit commuters and hammer hauliers,” leading to higher costs across the board—from fuel to goods. He accused Labour of imposing this rise at a time when families are already burdened by growing expenses, blaming the increase on what he called the party’s “economic incompetence.”
READ MORE: £250k Semi-Detached Home Conceals Stunning Heated Indoor Swimming Pool
READ MORE: Ex-DWP Officer Reveals Common Cases of Benefit Fraud
In response, Sir Keir Starmer has indicated a willingness to monitor the situation, saying he will “keep the situation under review in light of what is happening in Iran,” without offering firm commitments to revise the planned hikes.
TaxPayers’ Alliance researcher Anne Strickland expressed concern over the use of fuel duty revenue, arguing that motorists expect the funds to contribute to road maintenance rather than cover broader government budget shortfalls. She urged the Chancellor to reconsider the fuel duty increase to avoid exacerbating financial strain.
A Treasury spokesperson rejected the Opposition’s figures, emphasizing the government’s current economic strategy to support drivers. They highlighted the recent extension of the 5p per litre fuel duty cut through August and cited ongoing engagements with retailers and energy suppliers aimed at ensuring fair prices for consumers at the pump.