Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has called on the British Government to immediately reduce fuel duty, warning that rapidly rising petrol and diesel prices are placing severe pressure on households and businesses across Northern Ireland.
In discussions with the Cabinet Office this morning and also in a letter to Peter Kyle MP, Secretary of State at the Department for Business and Trade, she called for urgent intervention as fuel prices continue to escalate following the continued conflict in the Middle East.
The Minister said: “Fuel duty must be reduced as a matter of urgency. Petrol and diesel prices across the north have risen by between 20% and 40% in just a matter of days, creating sudden and unmanageable costs for households and businesses.
“The Irish Government has already acted by reducing Mineral Oil Tax across petrol, diesel and Marked Gas Oil. That action has been widely welcomed by consumers and businesses in the south.
“The British Government must now act with the same urgency. Alongside an immediate reduction in fuel duty, the planned fuel duty increases due to come into effect from September must be withdrawn if fuel prices remain elevated.”
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