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  "path": "/lifestyle/cars/rachel-reeves-labour-fuel-duty-hike-september",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-28T13:55:27.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Motorhomes and campervan drivers granted £10 overnight parking at popular tourist spot",
    "Electric cars offer 'clear value for customers' as petrol and diesel drivers suffer 'pump anxiety'",
    "Motorists face traffic delays after five-vehicle collision causes fuel spill and serious road damage",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nRachel Reeves' fuel duty policies have come under fire after millions of motorists face new cost hikes from September, despite fuel shortages and rising prices.\n\nDuring exchanges in the House of Commons, ministers defended Labour's record, but pointedly refused to rule out a planned rise later this year, fuelling anger from opposition MPs.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTreasury minister Gareth Thomas explained that the Government had already taken action on fuel affordability at the pump.\n\n\"At the Budget last year, the Government extended the 5p per litre cut for a further five months, and we've also cancelled the increase that would have otherwise taken place in line with inflation,\" he said.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHe also noted that fuel duty was lower in 2026 in cash terms than it had been in any year since 2009.\n\nHowever, critics warned that the real issue is what happens next, with Labour refusing to guarantee that duty will not rise in September.\n\nShadow Treasury minister James Wild led the attack, warning the plans could hit both households and businesses hard, adding that Labour plans to increase fuel duty by 5p, \"costing families £150 a year and hauliers £2,000\".\n\nHe also aimed at Ms Reeves, adding: \"There's no such thing as Government money. There's only taxpayers' money… will she actually help households and businesses and scrap this fuel hike?\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nPressure also came from the SNP, with Westminster leader Stephen Flynn highlighting the impact of high fuel costs in Scotland, accusing the Chancellor of \"standing idly by\" while countries such as Germany and France intervene to support their economies.\n\nThe Government pushed back, with Mr Thomas criticising both the SNP's record in Scotland and the Conservatives' time in power.\n\nHe said: \"On this side of the House, we are fiscally responsible. We will make sure that we continue to get borrowing down in a sustainable way, as we did over the last financial year, with borrowing falling by £20billion.\"\n\nThe Labour MP for Harrow West also argued that previous Conservative plans would have led to annual fuel duty increases, while Labour has so far kept rates frozen.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Motorhomes and campervan drivers granted £10 overnight parking at popular tourist spot\n  * Electric cars offer 'clear value for customers' as petrol and diesel drivers suffer 'pump anxiety'\n  * Motorists face traffic delays after five-vehicle collision causes fuel spill and serious road damage\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMinisters insisted that, in both cash and real terms, fuel duty remained historically low, claiming it is now below levels seen at any point under the Conservatives and, adjusted for inflation, at its lowest since 1993.\n\nThe debate also turned to the future of motoring, with Labour MPs pushing the case for electric vehicles as part of the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate.\n\nUnder the plans, new petrol and diesel cars will be banned from 2030, while at least 33 per cent of sales need to be electric by this year.\n\nMr Thomas pointed to record demand, telling MPs that March saw \"more electric vehicles purchased than in any month in British history\".\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHe said the Government has been expanding grants and making it easier for drivers without driveways to access on-street charging, as part of efforts to bring down long-term costs.\n\nMeanwhile, Labour MP Gerald Jones raised concerns about regional price differences, warning that drivers in Merthyr Tydfil are paying around 10p more per litre than those in nearby areas, and even more than some parts of London.\n\nIn response, ministers pointed to a new fuel price comparison scheme aimed at boosting competition and helping motorists find cheaper options.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Rachel Reeves slammed as Labour's fuel duty hike leaves motorists facing huge September bill"
}