Andy Burnham issued major demand by 30,000 drivers as pensioners left isolated

Andy Burnham and John Healey have been told to take urgent action by 30,000 drivers in just 24 hours. The Prime Minister and his Chancellor have been e-mailed by motorists, families, small business owners, tradespeople, farmers and hauliers, demanding urgent action on fuel costs ahead of the Budget on October 28. Pressure group FairFuelUK urged its supporters to contact the Government as petrol and diesel costs spiral due to conflict in the Middle East. One person wrote: “I’m a pensioner living in a very rural part of Wales.

“I need my car for hospital appointments. The nearest bus stop is three miles away.” Another said: “Bus services in my area are unreliable and infrequent. Car ownership is essential for getting to other towns for shopping and work.”

A different supporter wrote: “As a self-employed driving instructor, these increases are crippling for my small business.” Another person wrote: “We live in a rural village with no public transportation at all!

“We rely entirely on our car to get to shops, the pharmacy, doctors, and hospitals! Without our car, we would be marooned. We’re in our late 70s and worry about not being able to travel.”

Also included in the correspondences was a motorist saying: “Aside from the obviously unfair taxation on fuel, alongside high road-fund taxation and inflated insurance costs, I strongly believe that the neglect of road infrastructure is a national and international disgrace! Living in East Sussex, where visitors from the continent first encounter these third-world conditions, I am utterly embarrassed”

Howard Cox, Founder of FairFuelUK, said: “More than 30,000 people have emailed the Prime Minister and Chancellor within just 24 hours because drivers have had enough. They are tired of being treated as cash cows while politicians ignore the reality that affordable road transport is essential to every family, every business and every community in Britain.

“This isn’t just about motorists. Every product on every supermarket shelf, every tradesperson, every delivery, every small business and every worker depends on affordable transport. Ministers constantly talk about growth.

“Cheaper fuel is one of the fastest and most effective ways to lower costs, tackle inflation, and stimulate economic activity. Drivers’ message couldn’t be clearer. Cut Fuel Duty, introduce real fuel market transparency, and start treating Britain’s motorists as part of the solution, not the problem.”

FairFuelUK supporters call on the Prime Minister and Chancellor to:

• Cut Fuel Duty to provide immediate relief for hard-pressed families and businesses.
• Commit to a permanent Fuel Duty freeze.
• Introduce a genuine PumpWatch regulator with legal powers to investigate and prevent excessive fuel pricing.
• Match the action taken by more than 40 countries that have intervened to reduce fuel costs for motorists.
• Stop treating drivers as an endless source of tax revenue.
• Recognise affordable mobility as a driver of economic growth, lower inflation and stronger communities.
• Meet Mr Cox to discuss his independently developed 20-Year Transport Strategy, produced with input from more than 80,000 drivers and transport stakeholders.