Rishi Sunak hints that Government could step in amid spiralling energy costs

Rishi Sunak has hinted that fuel duty could be cut as Brits face rising energy and fuel prices. Commenting on the increasing costs, the Chancellor said that “where we can make a difference of course we will”.

Mr Sunak is set to make his Spring Statement on Wednesday as living costs are expected to soar on April 1. National Insurance, energy bills and inflation are all increasing, with another rise in October, The Mirror reports.

The Chancellor did not rule out cutting fuel duty raising the threshold at which people pay National Insurance. He also revealed on Sunday that he has set up a cost of living unit in the Treasury – amid suggestions he could raise the £150 council tax rebate or £200 repayable discount off energy bills.

READ MORE: ITV This Morning viewers urged by Martin Lewis to check if they’re owed £750

He claimed he would be lowering taxes by 2024 – after raising the tax burden to its highest in 70 years. But he did warn that sanctions against Russia will impact the UK’s finances.

Speaking on Sky News programme Sophy Ridge On Sunday, he said: “I want people to know, and they should be reassured, that I will stand by them in the same way that I have done over the last couple of years to try and make a difference where I can, but as you said the actions and steps we’re taking to sanction Russia are not cost-free for us here at home.

“I can’t pretend that it’s going to easy, that Government can solve every challenge or that I can completely protect people against some of the difficult times ahead,

“But what I can say is where we can make a difference of course we will, that’s what we’ve done over the past two years, and most recently you saw that with our announcement to help people with energy bills – £9 billion, £350 of support to people, they’ll get £150 of that in April.

“So look, where we can make a difference of course we will, but I get that this is difficult.”

Conservative MP Robert Halfon said it was “absolutely vital” the Government cut fuel duty to ease the cost of living crisis.

Asked about action on fuel duty, Mr Sunak said: “Obviously I can’t comment on specific things.

“But what I would say, I understand that, I have a rural constituency, people are incredibly reliant on their cars and this is one of the biggest bills that people face, watching it go up, right, we’re all seeing that, when we’re filling up our cars.

“I get that, that’s why we’ve frozen fuel duty already, I announced that in autumn, it’s the 11th consecutive year of fuel duty freezes and that really helps people, I know that.”