City MP Stewart Jackson is one of 75 backbench MPs to sign a motion put before the House of Commons which asked for a full Commons debate in the main Chamber for five hours, so that as many MPs as possible can represent their constituents’ concerns.
The Backbench Business Committee responded to a petition on the 10 Downing Street website signed by more than 100,000 people.
The motion states the following:
‘This House welcomes the 1p cut in fuel duty at the 2011 Budget, the abolition of the fuel tax escalator, the establishment of a fair fuel stabiliser, and the Government& 39;s understanding that high petrol and diesel prices are a serious problem; notes that in the context of the Government’s efforts to tackle the deficit and put the public finances on a sustainable path, that ensuring stable tax revenues is vital for sustainable growth; believes, however, that high fuel prices are causing immense difficulties for small and medium sized enterprises vital to our economic recovery; notes reports that some low paid workers are paying a tenth of their income just to fill up the family car; adds that high fuel prices are particularly damaging for the road freight industry; asks the Government to comment on whether high rates of fuel duty have actually led to lower tax revenues in recent years, after reports from leading motoring organisations suggested that fuel duty revenues were at least £1 billion pounds lower in the first six months of 2011, compared with 2008; finally calls on the Government to consider the effect that increased taxes on fuel will have on the economy, to examine ways of working with industry to ensure that falls in oil prices are passed on to consumers, to consider issues around market competitiveness, and more widely to consider the feasibility of a price stabilisation mechanism that would work alongside the fair fuel stabiliser, to address fluctuations in the pump price.
The debate has been granted for Tuesday 15th November. The debate can be watched live on www.parliament.tv
Stewart Jackson said:
“Petrol and diesel prices are a very real concern for people in Peterborough and across the UK. I want the opportunity to fight for fairer pump prices for my constituents. High fuel prices put yet further pressure on already stretched household budgets across Peterborough and many people in the city rely on their cars for work not just for leisure.
I am very pleased that we have been granted a debate, a real opportunity for our concerns to be considered by Ministers and we may see real action to tackle high fuel prices.”