Jeremy Clarkson makes feelings clear on '£175 fuel duty hike' in Budget - 'You need to be able to drive!'

Rachel Reeves could hike fuel duty rates to the original rate of 57.95p per litre, reversing a measure first introduced two years ago by then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

The 5p cut brought the fuel duty rate down to 52.95p as drivers struggled with expensive petrol and diesel prices after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

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While these measures have been retained, multiple organisations have pointed out that drivers rarely saw any of the benefits. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) stated that Britons were overcharged by £900million by major retailers and supermarkets in 2022 alone.

If the fuel duty hike were to be scrapped, the rate could also rise in line with inflation, which could lead to a 7p per litre price jump at the pumps.

Paul Barker, editor of Auto Express, highlighted how a 7p hike would increase the cost of each full-up by almost £4, or "£175 per year in extra expenses".

With motorists facing such high additional costs, former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson warned drivers of what to expect in the upcoming Budget.

Writing in The Sun, The Clarkson's Farm star said: "If you live in Kentish Town, then you are well served by many transport options. If you don’t live in Kentish Town, you aren’t.

“You need a car and you need to be able to afford to drive it.”

Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves refused to rule out changes to fuel duty before the Budget tomorrow after Conservative Saqib Bhatti MP stated that hardworking people would be hammered by any changes.

In response, she said: "The previous Government factored into their forecast an increase in fuel duty this year. I will set out our plans in the Budget tomorrow."

According to the latest data from RAC Fuel Watch, a litre of petrol costs 135.32p per litre, while diesel drivers are paying around £1.40.

While prices have been falling dramatically since the start of the year, there are fears a hike in fuel duty rates could force prices back to levels not seen since last year.

Some drivers have been critical of the fuel duty freeze, especially since petrol and diesel prices rose to their highest-ever levels when the freeze was in operation.

The Government is being urged to introduce long-awaited PumpWatch measures to help motorists find the cheapest fuel in their area, similar to the Consumer Council's Fuel Price Checker in Northern Ireland.

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An HM Treasury spokesperson told GB News: "Following the spending audit, the Chancellor has been clear that difficult decisions lie ahead on spending, welfare and tax to fix the foundations of our economy and address the £22billion hole in the public finances left by the last Government.

"Decisions on how to do that will be taken at the Budget in the round."