Fuel duty rise postponed

CHANCELLOR GORDON Brown has removed some pressure from the spiralling cost of fuel by postponing this autumn’s deferred inflation-linked duty increase that would have added over 1p/litre to red diesel.

The Chancellor said the he would review the situation again in his pre-budget report due in November.

Nick Adamson of Oxon fuel dealer Ackerman & Niece said the announcement was welcome, but red diesel prices had increased so much it would not make much difference.

Prices were now about 35p/litre, he said. “Last week, prices went up 2p/litre in two days.”