U.K. Fuel Protests Looming
LONDON – A three-pence per liter (roughly 17.7 cents/gallon U.S.) fuel tax increase that takes effect this week in Britain has prompted farmers, taxi drivers, and jobbers considering fuel protests, among other measures, while a group of bipartisan MPs has urged the government to reduce the fuel tax to assist motorists, The Telegraph reports.
The move recalls similar actions in 2005 and 2005 when blockades and demonstrations at refineries disrupted the fuel industry.
David Handley, a participant in one of the earlier protests, said, "The cost of fuel which sparked the protests in 2000 pales in comparison to what it is now."
Conservative MP David Morris, in urging a fuel tax reduction, said, "Fuel price reductions will help the economy and give much needed respite to the hard-pressed haulage industry…Something needs to be done to kick start the economy and cutting fuel duty would be one measure that would help."
Wales' rural affairs minister Elin Jones echoed Morris’ sentiments:
"People are rightly asking why the recovery is being stifled by the U.K. government's short-sighted actions. Fuel pricing in rural areas continues to be an utter scandal. This tax hike will only make that situation worse."
In response, a HM Treasury spokesperson defended the increase as helping plug a gaping budget deficit.
"In order to address the country's record budget deficit, it is necessary to implement the fuel duty increases already set and legislated for…Tough decisions are unavoidable and the government has been clear that the burden of deficit reduction will have to be shared."
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