Plaid Cymru and the SNP have criticised the Government’s lack of action on rising fuel prices. The parties say that the Government are not fulfilling their pre-election pledge, and as a result the public are bearing the brunt of spiralling costs.

The parties will call on the Government to establish a fuel duty regulator in their annual Opposition Day debate next week.

Speaking ahead of the debate, SNP Treasury Spokesperson Stewart Hosie MP said: “This may be the only opportunity MPs will have to debate fuel prices ahead of the Budget in March and the fuel duty increase in April, so it is crucial we persuade the Tory-led government to honour its pre-election pledge and establish a fuel regulator.

A fuel duty regulator, or stabiliser, would make fuel costs more reasonable for buyers by bringing down fuel duty when oil prices go up, and only increasing when the oil prices fall.

Plaid Cymru spokesperson for Transport Jonathan Edwards MP added: “The Tory-led Government’s VAT increase and fuel duty hike have pushed the price of a litre up by at least 3.5p in the last month alone. Businesses and especially families in rural areas are those facing the pain because of these choices.”

The criticism puts mounting pressure on the Government’s current non-commital stance on a fuel duty stabiliser. This year’s Opposition Day debate will take place next Monday.