MPs are ready to urge the government to stop rising fuel prices after an e-petition successfully received more than 100,000 votes. The motion will be tabled later today.

The motion, launched by Tory MP Robert Halfon, states: ‘High petrol and diesel prices are crippling our economy. Many motorists now pay a tenth of their income just to fill up the family car, and millions of families are suffering. Businesses are under immense pressure, especially the road freight industry. But petrol and diesel are now so astronomically expensive, it is costing the Government money. This is because fewer people can afford to drive, leading to lower tax revenues.’

The government currently plans to increase fuel duty by 3p a litre in January and says prices would be even higher had ministers not scrapped fuel-tax increases imposed by Labour. The motion is supported by more than 100 MPs.