Britain will freeze fuel duties at their current level instead of implementing a planned rise on September 1 as crude oil prices are again soaring.
Faced with potential motorist anger as petrol prices approach £1 a litre, the UK Treasury said today in a statement to parliament that it would again freeze fuel duties, which have not risen in four years.
Brent crude oil prices hit a record above $78 a barrel this week as tensions have risen in the Middle East. Rising energy costs are pushing up inflation.
Official data showed earlier today that British inflation hit 2.5% in June, the highest since September 2005 and well above the Bank of England's 2% target.
