Fuel duty may rise in October Budget - what does this mean for petrol prices?

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has refused to rule out ending the fuel duty freeze. We explain what this means for motorists

Car being filled with petrol
(Image credit: Getty Images/Tom Merton)

Drivers could face more pain at the pumps later this year amid rising speculation that fuel duty could be hiked.

Motorists have already been hit with higher petrol costs due to rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions and with a £22 billion black hole in the public finances to fill, there are rumours that fuel duty is a likely target.

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Marc Shoffman
Contributing editor

Marc Shoffman is an award-winning freelance journalist specialising in business, personal finance and property. His work has appeared in print and online publications ranging from FT Business to The Times, Mail on Sunday and the i newspaper. He also co-presents the In For A Penny financial planning podcast.