Tory leadership contender Sajid Javid vows to freeze fuel duty saving millions £150 a year
SAJID Javid today vows to freeze fuel duty for at least two more years – while launching Britain’s drive to ‘net-zero’ emissions. In a huge endorsement of The Sun’s ‘Keep it Down’ fuel campaign the leadership contender says he’ll keep the petrol tax unchanged until 2022 if he gets into No10. The pledge would save […]
SAJID Javid today vows to freeze fuel duty for at least two more years – while launching Britain’s drive to ‘net-zero’ emissions.
In a huge endorsement of The Sun’s ‘Keep it Down’ fuel campaign the leadership contender says he’ll keep the petrol tax unchanged until 2022 if he gets into No10.
The pledge would save millions of motorists £150 a year.
The Home Secretary insists that while it’s critical the Government targets zero-carbon by 2050, hard-working Brits who rely on the car shouldn’t be punished.
He said: “People drive because they don’t have other transport options, and they need to make a living, pick up the kids from school, and bring groceries back from the supermarket.
“So I’ll give Sun readers those options.”
“Barring any seismic shock to the public finances – I will continue to freeze fuel duty for the rest of the Parliament.
“Delivering vital green infrastructure will take time. Whilst we’re doing that, I’m not going to make life more difficult for hard-working families.”
Pre-empting criticism from the Treasury, a campaign source insisted the move wouldn’t ‘cost’ money – as it leaves more in people’s pockets to spend elsewhere. But they pointed out Mr Javid had also already pledged to generate funds for his tax plans by slowing down debt reduction.
The Tory last week promised to set up a £100 billion National Infrastructure Fund to ‘supercharge’ growth across the country if he replaced Theresa May.
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He told The Sun he wants to dramatically improve rail connections across the north. But as part of the push to ‘go green’ he also wants to radically increase the number of charging points for electric cars.
In a dig at the Chancellor – who warned the cost of meeting the 2050 net-zero target could top £1 trillion – Mr Javid counters the cost of “not meeting it is far higher”. He added: “When I entered politics in 2010, I’d have said climate change was important, but not a priority. Well, I’ve changed my mind.
“Not because of the protesters who brought chaos to the capital. Instead, it’s because the evidence is clear.”
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