Transport: Fuel duty call as prices hit new high

The average UK price of diesel hit 133.3p per litre, its highest price since July 2008, while petrol rose to a fresh high of 128.6p per litre, marking "another milestone along a road of misery for drivers", according to motoring organisation the AA.

AA president Edmund King called on the Government to ditch plans to add another 1p per litre onto the petrol duty in April and consider bringing in a stabiliser to reduce duty when prices soar.

He added that wholesale prices had fallen nearly five per cent since late December and said he hoped forecourts would pass on the cost savings to motorists whenever possible.

Drivers are now paying 19.2p more for a litre of diesel than a year ago adding 9.61 to the cost of filling a typical 50-litre car. Petrol costs 16.39 more than a year ago, adding 8.20 to the cost of a full tank.

Fuel duty now costs 58.95p per litre following a 0.76p increase on January 1. It also attracts VAT, which rose from 17.5 per cent to 20 per cent on January 4.

Labour Chancellor Alistair Darling announced a further 1p rise this April in last year's Budget.

Chancellor George Osborne on Thursday indicated he is considering freezing duty.

The Government is also looking at introducing a fuel stabiliser system.