Jeremy Clarkson has issued a stark warning that the new £175 charge for drivers under Labour, which comes into effect today, will be a “disaster”.
The former BBC Top Gear presenter, now hosting ITV’s Who Wants to be a Millionaire, voiced his concerns over the decision to lift the freeze on fuel duty.
He argued that everyday working individuals rely on their cars and that lifting the fuel duty in the budget would spell disaster. On Tuesday night, ahead of the budget announcement, Clarkson criticised Labour Party Chancellor Rachel Reeves and implored her to consider the impact on Britain’s 37 million drivers, reports Birmingham Live.
This plea was made amidst growing apprehension about a potential 7p per litre rise in fuel duty, which could add an extra £175 annually to an average family’s fuel costs (assuming they refuel once a week).
Clarkson stated: “If you live in Kentish Town, then you are well served by many transport options. If you don’t live in Kentish Town, you aren’t. You need a car and you need to be able to afford to drive it.”
Former Conservative Party Chancellor Jeremy Hunt warned: “Every single one will remember if the Chancellor double-crosses them today.”
Tory leadership contender Kemi Badenoch added that Labour wouldn’t stimulate economic growth by “making it more expensive to fill up”.
Her competitor Robert Jenrick expressed concern that “Working people are going to suffer and our economic recovery will take a huge hit.”
Tory MP Saqib Bhatti urged: “The least the Chancellor can do is back Britain’s 37 million motorists and keep the cost of fuel down this winter by maintaining the Conservatives’ 5p freeze in fuel duty.”
Labour MP Graham Stringer stated: “Keeping fuel duty low is fundamental to the health of the economy. Increasing fuel duty will make economic growth more difficult.”
MP Sarah Smith also commented: “I urge the chancellor to continue the fuel duty tax freeze.
“This will help economic growth and will make a huge difference to the residents and businesses in my constituency.”
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