Stormont Minister calls for ‘immediate reduction’ in fuel duty

Stormont’s Economy Minister has urged the UK Government to immediately slash fuel duty as prices spiral.

Caoimhe Archibald said she raised concerns over the impact of petrol and diesel prices during discussions with the Cabinet Office on Thursday morning, and also in a letter to Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle.

She pointed to action which has been taken by the Irish government to temporarily reduce excise duty for motor fuels as the impact of the war in the Gulf continues.

“Fuel duty must be reduced as a matter of urgency,” she said.

“Petrol and diesel prices across the north have risen by between 20% and 40% in just a matter of days, creating sudden and unmanageable costs for households and businesses.

“The Irish government has already acted by reducing Mineral Oil Tax across petrol, diesel and marked gas oil.

“That action has been widely welcomed by consumers and businesses in the south.”

Ms Archibald said the UK Government “must now act with the same urgency”.

“Alongside an immediate reduction in fuel duty, the planned fuel duty increases due to come into effect from September must be withdrawn if fuel prices remain elevated,” she said.

A spokesperson for the Treasury said: “We have the right economic plan for a more volatile world, taking a responsible approach to supporting working people in the national interest.

“Fuel duty is frozen until September and we’re enabling targeted support for those facing higher heating oil costs. We’re also acting to protect people from unfair price rises if they occur and to bring down food prices at the till.”