Harlow MP in push to drive down fuel costs

A CAMPAIGN to reduce the spiralling costs of fuel on UK forecourts stepped up a gear yesterday (Tuesday, July 12) as Harlow MP Rob Halfon joined protestors to push a car along Whitehall.

The Conservative backbencher helped set up the publicity stunt on behalf of pressure group FairfuelUK, which has appointed Mr Halfon as parliamentary spokesman on its fight for fair fuel costs.

Joined by fellow MPs Robert Flello, Eilidh Whiteford, Nick Smith, Martin Vickers and Steve Baker, the group’s push for lower petrol and diesel prices ended on the front steps of 10 Downing Street where Mr Halfon handed over a letter asking why the recent drop in oil prices had not been matched at the fuel pumps.

The document also demanded the Government take action to pressure oil companies to pass on reductions in the cost of oil and urged Whitehall to abandon plans to increase fuel duty by up to 4p a litre in January 2012.

Speaking after Tuesday’s publicity drive, Mr Halfon told the Star that petrol prices were the "number one issue" in Harlow.

"The cost of oil has plummeted, but pump prices are still too high," he said.

"The Government needs to abandon its plan to increase fuel duty in January, and must put pressure on oil companies to pass on reductions in the price of oil."

He added: "The pain that we have felt symbolically pushing this car today is nothing compared to the misery that high fuel prices are causing in Britain.

"We have to keep fuel costs down to get the economy moving again."

Peter Carroll of FairFuelUK added that the cost of fuel was so high that even the Treasury was beginning to suffer.

"High fuel taxes have reduced demand which means that the Treasury is actually collecting less revenue -this risks becoming the economics of the mad house," he said.