As inflation ‘balloons’, Lib Dem MP Anna Sabine mounts pressure on Government for emergency fuel duty cut to help Frome and East Somerset residents, amid impact of Trump’s war on Iran

As inflation ‘balloons’, Lib Dem MP Anna Sabine mounts pressure on Government for emergency fuel duty cut to help Frome and East Somerset residents, amid impact of Trump’s war on Iran

Anna Sabine MP is urging the Government to introduce an emergency 10p cut to fuel duty, saving 12p per litre at the pumps, as a Lib Dem poll reveals Brits stockpiling fuel and cutting back spending to afford petrol.

In rural areas like Frome and East Somerset, where there is not only a higher reliance on cars, but a greater proportion of houses on oil heating, the impact will be felt acutely. Drawing attention to this strain on BBC Politics Live last week, Anna also pointed to the added impact these price increases are having on farmers with red diesel costs soaring and no stability being offered to them. 

“At a time when we have raging food insecurity and rely on our farmers more than ever, the Government is not supporting them. Farmers in Frome and East Somerset are in crisis, they are working all hours, struggling with a wet season, repeated blows from the Government regarding Agricultural Relief Payments and now don’t know when or even if they are going to receive deliveries of red diesel. It’s untenable.” Anna said, in the wake of Trump’s war. 

The Lib Dems unveiled a giant inflated balloon of Donald Trump on Whitehall, flanked by “cheerleaders” Farage and Badenoch as part of a major new campaign highlighting the impact of “Trumpflation”. 

Trump’s war on Iran has caused the biggest rise in fuel prices in more than three years, according to the ONS.

Latest figures show inflation rose to 3.3% in March, up from 3% in February. The ONS said fuel prices saw their biggest increase since January 2023 and polling commissioned this week by the Liberal Democrats, has revealed the British public are taking drastic action to afford spiralling fuel prices as the impact of “Trumpflation” bites.

Among those who drive a car regularly, nearly a third (30%) say they have cut back on other spending to afford fuel. 1 in 10 say they are stockpiling fuel, nearly half have driven less because of soaring fuel prices (49%), while over a quarter (28%) say they have delayed or cancelled non-essential journeys, such as visiting friends or family.

Anna Sabine added:

“People of rural areas like Frome and East Somerset, whether that be farmers, families or working people trying to make ends meet, are being penalised for factors beyond their control, because of one man’s ego driven war. 

Normal people shouldn’t have to be stockpiling fuel or reassessing whether they can even drive to where they need to, in order to preserve petrol. I, with the Lib Dems will continue to put pressure on the Government to protect families from the effects of Trumpflation and bring down the cost of the living. “

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Photos from the visual can be viewed here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18tKGD4Bi8nyh130WpkkMejHlLVTFi_bl?usp=sharing 

Full polling results can be viewed here.