Oral Answers to Questions

Sammy Wilson Excerpts

Tuesday 11th March 2014 Commons Chamber

[Nicky Morgan]

The point made by the hon. Gentleman, which his constituents will appreciate, is that freezing fuel duty has enabled people to spend more money on themselves and their families in other ways. He needs to understand that fuel duty cuts and freezes since Budget 2011 have had to be fully funded through tax rises or spending cuts elsewhere. Any further action needs to be considered in the context of the wider public finances.

[Sammy Wilson (East Antrim) (DUP)]

Tomorrow, the FairFuelUK campaign will be handing in a petition calling for a reduction in fuel duty. Given that the National Institute of Economic and Social Research has indicated that a 3p reduction would increase jobs by 70,000 and GDP by 0.2%, does the Minister agree that such a measure should be given priority in the forthcoming Budget in order to help the economy on its way and to promote growth?

[Nicky Morgan]

That is a matter for the Chancellor. The hon. Gentleman will appreciate that the Government regularly receive a range of representations on fuel duty. We hear what he and many other campaigners, not only on fuel duty but on many other issues, have been asking for.