A SHAKE-UP in Downing Street senior staff has raised fears that pump prices could go up, it’s been claimed.
A top Treasury mandarin tipped for a senior Number 10 role is understood to “hate” the on-going freeze and temporary 5p cut to fuel duty.
Dan York Smith is expected to be replacing Nin Pandit as Sir Keir Starmer’s principal private secretary after she spent just ten months in the role.
One source close to the Treasury told The Telegraph: “He hates the fuel duty cut and freeze.”
The Sun’s long-running Keep It Down campaign to keep fuel duty frozen has saved cash-strapped drivers a total of £100 billion.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves used her Budget last year to freeze rates at the pumps and extend the 5p temporary cut.
Party sources also pointed to the Labour manifesto which committed to not increasing taxes on working people.
Top Tory Dame Priti Patel said a hike would mean a “betrayal of working people”.
The AA says motorists are already being squeezed, with Vehicle Excise Duty rising by £30 since 2022, plus millions more paid in parking charges, tolls and congestion fees.
AA boss Edmund King also warned any rise at the pumps “could be catastrophic” for the UK economy.
He added: “The added danger is increased duty simply fuels higher inflation.
“The strong message to the Chancellor is ‘keep it down’.”
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