30 October 2024
A freeze in fuel duty, has unleashed a pre-Halloween treat for UK drivers, particularly those on low incomes, shift workers, those travelling long distances to get to work and rural dwellers, says the AA.
The AA is pleased that its campaigning has paid off with the freeze in duty, EV incentives, pothole funding and the Fuel Finder scheme.
Treat
Edmund King, AA president, said: "“In this in eve of Halloween budget, the Chancellor has conjured up a treat for drivers.
“Drivers have been in suspense since the Chancellor announced there would be painful taxes to fill the Treasury’s ‘black hole’. They knew they were on the cast list to be victims but have escaped that threat.
“Drivers were worried that pre-Budget scares of hiked fuel duty may end in a nightmare, but the Chancellor has pulled off the ultimate trick and treat.
“Since covid and the start of the Ukraine war, ‘perma-high’ pump prices have inflicted road fuel costs that were well above anything motorists had endured before. Today’s fuel duty freeze will be a big relief.”
“The AA is pleased that its campaigning has paid off with the freeze in duty, EV incentives, pothole funding and the Fuel Finder scheme.”
EVs
The AA also welcomes continued incentives for EV drivers via an extension of the company car benefit in kind incentives for EVs to 2030 and increased differentials in VED for EVs.
Potholes
Responding to the Budget commitment to a £500 million uplift in funding to fix local roads in the next financial year, Edmund King, AA president, and member of the Pothole Partnership (AA, British Cycling, National Motorcyclists Council, JCB) said: “ We welcome extra funding as potholes place real safety hazards for those of two wheels or two feet, and expensive damage for those on four wheels. As we stressed to the Chancellor and Transport Minister, we would also like to see a longer-term commitment to funding as this is important in terms of road safety, would save money for health service and repairs; but it needs to be ring-fenced with an emphasis on innovation and more permanent preventative maintenance.”
Previous increases and cuts in fuel duty:
Applies to both petrol and diesel.
Full Budget details can be found here: Budget 2024