More than 300,000 people have signed a petition demanding that the Chancellor of the Exchequer create a fuel price cap. Launched more than a week ago, organisers hope it will influence Rishi Sunak's Spring Statement on Wednesday (March 23).
Started by Kevin Scott, the petition says that UK tax on diesel for commercial vehicles is "far too high" and is affecting the price of food and more. It goes on: "By reducing the tax for commercial vehicles this will help everyone suffering from the current cost of living crisis which is due to both the pandemic repercussions and the war between Russia and Ukraine."
The text also calls for measures which have been brought in for the fuel crisis - to protect domestic energy customers - to be rolled out to include filling up at the pumps. It says: "Petrol/diesel... should be capped like the electricity and gas prices are currently for the public to ease the cost of living crisis."
Mr Scott's petition goes on: "Large fuel companies are clearly profiteering from these current prices making billions of £ per year in profits from those just trying to go to work or commuting from education etc. The UK Government should immediately make this law as an urgent matter before inflation spirals out of control and in turn costs everyone even more [sic]."
At the time of writing, signatories have passed 302,000, with many calling for emergency measures to ease the financial burden currently facing many British businesses and households.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak is expected to cut fuel duty, the tax paid on petrol and diesel prices, by 5p a litre in his Spring Statement. This would bring it to 52.95p, down from 57.95p paid on every litre, The Mirror reports.
Over the weekend petrol reached 167.03p a litre - up from 165.89p on Thursday. Meanwhile diesel hit 178.97p, up from 177.34p.
One commenter, Steve McGuinness, signed, saying: "I am a taxi driver and fuel price rises are making it difficult to operate."
"I'm sick of rising costs in this country and struggling day-to-day," adds Tracy Radzan.
The Chancellor's Spring Statement is effectively a 'mini Budget' given half-a-year after the autumn financial package is presented. Mr Sunak will make his statement on Wednesday (March 23) at around 12pm.
