Brighton MP calls for cheaper pump prices for drivers

Simon Kirby, the Conservative MP for Brighton Kemptown, has given his backing to a move to cut petrol and diesel prices for drivers.

He signed a motion on fuel prices which was debated in the House of Commons yesterday (Tuesday 15 November).

MPs from all parties voted unanimously in favour of the motion which followed an e-petition signed by more than 100,000 people.

The motion was put forward by Robert Halfon, the Conservative MP for Harlow. Its supporters included Dennis Skinner, the Labour MP for Bolsover.

Among other things, the motion which Mr Kirby signed said: “High fuel prices are causing immense difficulties for small and medium-sized enterprises vital to economic recovery.

“Some low-paid workers are paying a tenth of their income just to fill up the family car.

“High fuel prices are particularly damaging for the road freight industry.

“High rates of fuel duty may have led to lower tax revenues in recent years.

“Reports from leading motoring organisations suggested that fuel duty revenues were at least £1 billion lower in the first six months of 2011 compared with 2008.”

Mr Halfon said: “Fuel duty is the No 1 issue in Britain.”

He said that it had a financial impact, economic impact and a social impact.

He said that last week a poll in The Sun newspaper found that 85 per cent of respondents believed that the fuel duty rise due in January should be cancelled.

And he added: “Other polls show that people are more concerned about petrol and diesel prices than anything else.

“We have the highest diesel price in Europe and one of the highest petrol prices.

“The government’s figures show that sales of petrol and diesel have been falling since 2008 because fuel is becoming unaffordable.”