Sheffield and Derbyshire Chambers of Commerce have called on Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling to abandon plans to raise fuel duty by 2p in October.
The Chambers says rising fuel prices have meant a £505 million fuel tax windfall for the Government in the six weeks from the start of April – the same amount that would be raised by the duty hike in the current financial year,
Sheffield Chamber head of policy and representation, Helen Rana, said: "The rising cost of petrol is hitting everybody hard across the Sheffield region - not just businesses. Seeing the fuel gauge barely move when you put in £20 is frustrating and only going to get worse.
What do you think? Post your comment below."With the Treasury estimates on what it would bring in on fuel tax woefully out of line with reality, this £505 million windfall in less than two months must surely rule out the 2p rise scheduled for October. It is simply unjustifiable."
Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber chief executive George Cowcher said: "While there is little we can do about the rising price of crude oil, the Government can choose not to further punish business and the general public by pushing petrol and diesel prices higher.
"This windfall in less than two months leaves the Government without any shred of justification for raising fuel tax in October, especially at a time when people have to tighten their belts to cope with other living costs."
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