Government to freeze fuel duty for ninth year in a row, reveals Theresa May
2 min read
Fuel duty is to be frozen for the ninth year in a row, Theresa May is to announce.
The Prime Minister will tell the Conservative conference in Birmingham that Philip Hammond has scrapped plans for a 2p-a-litre increase.
He will confirm the move, which will cost the Treasury around £800m, in his Budget later this month.
There had been speculation that the Chancellor may end the freeze, which was first announced by his predecessor George Osborne in 2010, to help fund a planned rise in NHS spending.
But Mrs May will say that by continuing the popular policy, the Government will show voters that it is "on their side".
She will say that the feeling of being able to have some money left at the end of the month cannot be "measured in pounds and pence”.
"It’s the joy and precious memories that a week’s holiday with the family brings. It’s the peace of mind that comes with having some savings,” she will say.
"Many people in towns and cities across our country, cannot take these for granted. They are the people this party exists for. They are the people for whom this party must deliver."
Mrs May will add: "It’s for them that we cut income tax. Introduced a National Living Wage. Extended free childcare. And froze fuel duty every year. Because for millions of people, their car is not a luxury. It’s a necessity.
"Some have wondered if there would be a thaw in our fuel duty freeze this year. Today I can confirm that in the budget later this month, the Chancellor will freeze fuel duty again.
"Money in the pockets of hard working people from a Conservative Government that is on their side."
Philip Hammond said: "This has come at a significant cost to the Exchequer, but the high oil price and the near-record pump price of petrol and diesel are also imposing a significant burden on motorists."
PATRIOTIC
Elsewhere in her make-or-break conference speech, the Prime Minister will say the Tories must be Britain's "decent, moderate and patriotic" party to defeat Jeremy Corbyn at the next election.
Responding to her internal critics, - including former Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson - the Prime Minister will insist that the UK's "best days lie ahead of us" while warning about the dangers of Mr Corbyn's buoyant Labour party.
She will say: "Don’t let anyone tell you we don’t have what it takes: we have everything we need to succeed."
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