Autumn Statement: Tory MPs in push to cut fuel duty in The Times

The MPs say that while a six-year freeze in fuel duty has been of benefit, a cut would be of greater benefit still

The MPs say that while a six-year freeze in fuel duty has been of benefit, a cut would be of greater benefit still

The Chancellor is facing calls from 53 Conservative MPs to cut fuel duty in his Autumn Statement next week after a price rise at the pumps over the last month.

Charlie Elphicke, the chair of the Commons all-party group on "fair fuel" who co-ordinated the letter, told The Sunday Times that after six years of duty freezes in fuel duty, it was time for a cut: "The fuel duty freeze has been of real benefit to the UK economy. But it's clear that cutting fuel duty would be an even bigger boost to hardworking families and small businesses."

The newspaper added that Philip Hammond will use what aides describe as a low-key Autumn Statement on November 23 "to reinforce May’s claims that she will create a country that works for everyone". He faces lower-than-expected Government revenues and calls for a fiscal stimulus given the economic turbulence following the vote to leave the European Union.