Motorists are being urged to declutter their cars and take other measures before next Wednesday due to an anticipated fuel duty hike. With the Labour Party government set to unveil its budget on October 30, concerns are rising about increased costs for road users.
Speaking on the matter, Aidan Rushby, Founder and CEO of Carmoola, commented: “We understand the added financial strain that a hike in fuel costs could place on motorists.
“Whilst any rise in taxes is out of consumers’ control, we’re sharing these practical tips – some well-known, others less so – to help drivers take back some control over their car costs.”
Carmoola has been advising drivers to lighten their load by removing unnecessary heavy items from their cars as well as external accessories like roof racks, tents, and boxes, to optimise fuel efficiency, Birmingham Live reports.
In addition to shedding weight, they recommend maintaining a smooth, consistent speed and staying composed behind the wheel.
Paul Holland, managing director for UK/ANZ Fleet at Corpay which includes the UK brand Allstar, also weighed in on the topic: “The government is likely to end the temporary extension of the 5p fuel duty cut that was put in place by the previous Chancellor.
“While we knew this would happen at some point, the government needs to ask itself whether now is the right time. Are there no other areas it can make cuts?
“Ending the fuel duty cut would only save the government £2bn per year, or one-eleventh of the £22bn ‘budget black hole’. This is a mere drop in the ocean compared to the £788.59bn the UK brought in via tax receipts for the 2022/23 tax year.”
Holland commented on the significant impact that the years since Covid and the invasion of Ukraine have had, describing the 5p cut as a “small, often insufficient, but still welcome relief to all that take to the UK’s roads”.
He cautioned: “Cutting it now will stop fleets from being able to rebuild after several difficult years, and we urge the government to rethink this reported move.”
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