𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Rachel Reeves has been urged to scrap the proposed hike in fuel duty amid fears the Middle East crisis could trigger panic buying at petrol stations, as gas prices have skyrocketed after attacks on tankers and a major refinery. The Chancellor announced last year that the long-held discount in fuel duty would be scrapped from September, with a 1p hike followed by two increases of 2p each in subsequent years.

But following the US and Israeli attacks on Iran at the weekend, which killed the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, concerns have been raised about the impact of oil price hikes, which could hit consumers at the pumps.

Ms Reeves will use Tuesday’s spring statement to claim the Government has the right economic plan for Britain. She will stress the importance of maintaining economic stability in an increasingly uncertain world.

She is expected to say: “This Government has the right economic plan for our country in a world that has become yet more uncertain. Stability in the public finances, investment in infrastructure and reform to our economy.

“Building growth not on the contribution of a few people or a few parts of the country, but in every part of Britain with a state that doesn’t stand back, but steps up.”

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