Around 46 percent of drivers say they’ll be forced to cut other household spending to account for the continuing rise in price of fuel. The RAC survey also found that a third of motorists are driving less because of the high costs at forecourts.
“But the simple fact remains that the car is a lifeline for many people and remains the only feasible way for them to complete so many of the journeys they need to make.
“For example, as our latest Report on Motoring shows, when it comes to visiting or caring for friends and family, for 68 percent of drivers the distance they have to travel is too far to go on foot or by bike.
“When it comes to grocery shopping, 78 percent said they relied on the car as they had too much to carry by any other means.
“This reliance on cars, coupled with the fact the cost of fuel represents such a large proportion of many households’ spending, should be ringing alarm bells in Government, but it’s not obvious the message is getting through.”
According to the RAC Foundation, in January 2021, a litre of petrol cost 116.51p, while diesel set drivers back 120.05p per litre.
Since then global increases in crude oil prices has resulted in fuel prices soaring around 30p in under a year.
Mr Williams continued, by suggesting the Chancellor should have announced a temporary cut to VAT, allowing prices to settle.
He said: “The Chancellor had the perfect opportunity last month to show his support for drivers who are struggling with the increasing fuel prices – which is happening at a time when domestic energy bills are also rising – by temporarily cutting VAT on motor fuel or reducing fuel duty.
“We’re disappointed he chose to do neither, but a commitment to freeze fuel duty for another year was at least some consolation.
“However, we fear that rocketing prices risk storing up all kinds of problems for drivers as we go into the winter.
“The high oil price is the root cause of the costs motorists are suffering at the pumps with a barrel having quadrupled in price since last spring as demand for fuel across the world returns to a more normal level after the worst of the pandemic.”
During the Budget announcement, Chancellor Rishi Sunak did not mention VAT levied on fuel, although he did keep fuel duty frozen for the 12th consecutive year.
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