Bradley Thomas, MP for Bromsgrove and the Villages, has warned that planned increases in fuel tax will disproportionately impact rural communities, farmers and the wider rural economy.
Rural households are significantly more reliant on cars due to limited public transport options, leaving them more exposed to rising fuel costs.
Farming communities are especially at risk due to the Government’s planned increase in red diesel duty - widely used in farming. The changes mean that by March 2027 farmers will see an approximate 10% rise, representing a substantial increase for those already facing the rising cost of fertiliser and the forthcoming Family Farm Tax.
Many have already seen heating oil prices which have seen a massive price spike due to the volatile global situation.
Bradley said:
“This Government just doesn’t get rural communities. If they did, they would never have introduced the hated Family Farm Tax which I’ve voted against at every opportunity in Parliament.
“Now - just when the cost of fuel and other agricultural commodity prices are on the rise - they are set on pushing up taxes on red diesel. Farmers in Bromsgrove and the Villages cannot afford to pay nearly 10% more tax on their fuel.
“I’m once again calling on the Government to scrap the planned rise in Fuel Duty and take immediate action to support households across the country by implementing the Cheap Power Plan which will take 20% off of electricity bills.”
