Labour candidate demands action over fuel duty

LABOUR’S shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Rachel Reeves was in Rotherham yesterday campaigning with Sarah Champion on the issue of fuel duty.

Labour wants the government to postpone a planned rise in fuel duty of 3p set to be imposed in January because of the continuing tough economic climate, because its worried about the impact it will have on families and businesses.

But last week the government voted against this proposal and as things stand the fuel duty hike will happen in January.

Rachel Reeves said: “Labour’s asked the government to delay their 3p fuel duty rise due in January but they refused.

“We’ve had winks and nudges on this from the chancellor but that's not good enough. When people are struggling to make ends meet, the last thing we need is another hike in fuel duty.

“Sarah Champion wants to put Rotherham people first, she understands the impact imposing this rise in January would have. The Tories' refusal so far to agree to delay it just show how out of touch they are.”

Sarah Champion said: “People in Rotherham are being hit hard by the rising cost of living, that's why I'm making it a central focus of my campaign. I want to put Rotherham people first, and that means trying to make sure we protect family budgets and stop the government hiking fuel duty at an expensive time of year when people here simply don't have the cash to cope with it.”