THE Sun’s long-running battle to keep fuel duty frozen has saved cash-strapped drivers a total of £100billion, according to the spending watchdog.
And, in a telling tribute to our campaign, the decision not to raise pump prices in Wednesday’s Budget won the widest support among voters.
A thumping 73 per cent backed it in a poll on Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ announcements.
The policy even topped other big-ticket items such as £22.6billion for the NHS and compensation for the infected blood scandal.
They were supported by 72 and 68 per cent respectively.
The poll of 2002 adults comes amid claims from the Office for Budget Responsibility that the cost to the Treasury of maintaining the freeze from 2010/11 to 2025/26 will hit £100billion.
But motorists’ champion and Tory MP Saqib Bhatti hit out: “Their analysis actually shows how important cuts to fuel duty have been since 2010/2011 with drivers saving £100billion.
“If it wasn’t from pressure from the Conservatives, FairFuelUk and The Sun, Britain’s 37million motorists would have been impacted in this woeful Budget that has undermined the people’s confidence in the Government.
“Luckily, we were able to help hard-working families and small businesses across the country by forcing Rachel Reeves into a U-turn.”
Fears had been mounting that Ms Reeves could reverse the 5p a litre cut and reinstate an inflationary increase. This could have added £3.85 to the cost of filling up an average family car.
Instead the Chancellor resisted Treasury demands — even as she unveiled £40billion of tax rises elsewhere.
The JL Partners poll for Arden Strategies found support for freezing fuel duty is booming across all age groups.
It was backed by 83 per cent of voters aged between 55 and 64, while 71 per cent of voters aged 25 to 34 are also in support.
And the support also crosses party lines, with 85 per cent of Tory voters, 71 per cent of Labour supporters, and 81 per cent of Reform UK’s backers all behind the policy.
Scarlett Maguire, director at JL Partners, said: “The public are fully behind Labour’s commitment to continue the fuel duty freeze.
“It was the most popular measure of Rachel Reeves’ first Budget, even trumping the extra billions of pounds pledged to the NHS.”
Labour MP Graeme Downie said: “I met with small businesses yesterday, who were pleased, and I know it is really helpful for ordinary working people as well.”
Hailing the crucial role of The Sun’s crusade against fuel duty rises, the AA spokesman on pump prices Luke Bosdet added: “With 70 per cent of commutes to work outside London done by car, rising to 81 per cent in rural areas, it is little wonder that maintaining the duty freeze was so popular.
“It underlines the importance of The Sun’s Keep it Down campaign and serves as a warning for future Budgets.
Households have had a miserable two to three years trying to make ends meet.
Luke Bosdet
“The fact of the matter is that a hike in road fuel costs most hits those on low-incomes and with finances on a knife-edge.
“Households have had a miserable two to three years trying to make ends meet.
“Resurrecting fuel duty increases when petrol and diesel remains very expensive historically would have caused a backlash.”
The poll also reveals a stark contrast to other measures announced in the Budget, such as the increase in air passenger duty, which received only 47 per cent support.
Increases in capital gains tax were approved by just six per cent.
The rise in the rate of employers pay in National Insurance also got the thumbs-down, with six per cent more respondents against it than supporting it.
Meanwhile post-Budget jitters around Britain’s growth prospects have made the cost of government borrowings more expensive.
Government bond yields were choppy yesterday but the Chancellor could breathe a sigh of relief there was not a more dramatic market rout.
Government bonds rose to 4.46 per cent, slightly above the 4.43 per cent a day earlier.
It is still higher than the panic level caused by Liz Truss’s mini-Budget meltdown in 2022, albeit the shift was far less dramatic.
Meanwhile, the Pound yesterday strengthened against the dollar back to $1.29 and the London stock markets closed higher.
Docs warn of staff axe
TOP doctors yesterday said GP surgeries will have to lay off staff or close unless they are protected from the National Insurance raid.
The British Medical Association warned the NI hike on employers could tip practices over the edge.
Meanwhile, care home and hospice bosses warned their services will also be at risk unless they are exempted.
Last night, No10 defended the move in the name of “economic stability”.
£950 a day is fair pay
PAYING a mandarin £950 a day to determine taxpayer value for money is fair, a minister insisted yesterday.
Treasury Secretary Darren Jones defended HS2 board member David Goldstone becoming chair of the new Office for Value for Money where on average he will work one day a week.
Mr Jones said yesterday: “Actually, the day rate for David is, on a benchmark basis, competitive.”
Mr Goldstone will take up the independent role for a year.
