Chancellor Given Budget Warning Cutting Fuel Duty Is Just Not Enough

Sunak urged to impose windfall tax and ditch national insurance hike after it's claimed petrol plan could save just £2'per tank

- Ben Glaze

Rishi Sunak yesterday fuelled hopes he would slash petrol duty when he delivers his mini-Budget this week.

Calls have been growing for the Chancellor to throw hard-up motorists a lifeline in Wednesday's Spring Statement after the average litre of unleaded rose above £1.60 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Resolution Foundation thinktank's principal economist Adam Corlett said: “Fuel duty cuts to relieve pressure at the petrol pump will inevitably be part of the package announced this week.”

As well as rocketing inflation of 5.4 per cent - tipped to hit eight per cent within weeks Britons also face rising council tax bills, a National Insurance hike to fund attempts to tackle record NHS waiting lists and a £693 surge in the energy price cap, leading to a 50 per cent rise in dual fuel bills.