Dear Rachel Reeves MP
I am writing to express concern about the planned 5p-per-litre increase in fuel duty.
The scheduled increases, 1p in September, 2p in December, and a final 2p in March 2027, represent a £3 billion tax raid on motorists at the worst possible time.
With fuel prices already rising and the cost of living a daily struggle, these "stealth" increases will fuel inflation and hit the most vulnerable the hardest. For those in rural communities and areas with limited public transport, driving is a necessity for work, education, and healthcare.
We call on you to:
- Cancel the 5p duty increases scheduled for September 1, 2026.
- Provide an immediate guarantee that any future electric vehicle road pricing will not become a "stealth tax" on commuters and families.
- Recognise the "Rural Penalty" by protecting those who have no choice but to drive.
The public deserves transparency and support, not a series of tax hikes that make the simple act of getting to work unaffordable. We urge you to reconsider this roadmap and support the millions of motorists who keep this country moving.
Kind regards,
Suzanne Webb OBE
Former MP for Stourbridge