Commenting on the Chancellor’s decision today to freeze fuel duty, Friends of the Earth’s Head of Campaigns Andrew Pendleton said:

“The main reason for high pump prices is the cost of oil, which is predicted to carry on rising in the future.

“Motorists up and down the country will continue to pay a heavy price if Ministers and motor manufacturers don’t take urgent action to wean our cars off their oil dependency.

"Ministers must help fast-track the production of electric vehicles and super-efficient cars that burn less fuel – and provide decent alternatives to driving, such as better public transport and safer cycling."