Fuel rise ‘will force job changes’

Of 16,647 AA members polled, 4 per cent said they would change jobs to reduce mileage if the 3.02p duty increase is not scrapped, while 3 per cent would have to abandon their job because of unaffordable travel costs.

Skilled service and manual workers are most at risk, with 9 per cent fearing for their employment should the duty rise take place.

Southern England, the Midlands and north west England are the regions where there is most concern about jobs, the survey showed.

The planned increase would push petrol prices up to around 145p a litre, with diesel rising to 150p.

Those polled were asked what would be the effect of such prices, with 63 per cent saying they would cut back on car use, 18 per centwould cut back on grocery shopping and 23 per cent would abandon or delay the purchase of furniture, home improvements or luxury items.

AA president Edmund King said: “Pump prices that many people can’t afford means lost high street spending, higher transport costs, rising inflation, lost tax from lower fuel sales, lost tax from businesses going bust, lost tax from workers losing their jobs and a bigger unemployment benefit bill.

“A hike in fuel costs at the start of the holiday season will backfire as many people are already cutting back.”