Britain is heading for a “de facto lockdown” caused by soaring fuel prices, ministers have been warned. Conservative former minister Robert Halfon said parents will soon no longer be able to afford to take their children to school while staff will struggle to get to work.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he would have further discussions with Chancellor Rishi Sunak on the issue. Speaking at transport questions, Mr Halfon told the Commons: “In Ireland it’s a very happy St Patrick’s Day because they’ve cut fuel duty over the past week.
“I thank (Mr Shapps) for what the Government has done on the fuel duty freeze, but the fact is motorists are paying £1.60-plus for their petrol and their diesel. We’re heading to a de facto lockdown where parents can’t afford to take their kids to school, where workers can’t afford to commute by car and have to stay at home.”
