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Dear Minister, I am writing to you following the government response to the petition "Introduce an immediate reduction in road fuel duty", signed by over 2,000 people. I am disappointed with the government response.
We accept completely that a fuel duty cut is not a silver bullet that will solve the cost-of-living crisis. We do believe that it would have to part of a wider suite of measures aimed at mitigating the impacts on islanders.
A fuel duty cut, whether temporary or permanent, has been one of the key tools deployed by government across Europe to give consumers some relief against the escalating cost of living crisis.
ATF has already committed to passing on any duty cut immediately. I am sure other retailers can and will be persuaded to the do similar. To suggest that consumers won't get the benefit against the backdrop of rising international fuel prices is to effectively suggest that at the government does not see itself having any role in countering fuel prices increases in the short term, despite government revenues continuing to increase.
In relation to your point of differential in fuel prices across the island, we concur completely but would argue that this is the result of a lack of competitive forces which means some of the larger operators enjoy more pricing power than others. The government should immediately consider how it will address this.
We will be continuing to support this petition and will be seeking a debate on this matter when the States Assembly reconvenes after the election.
I am, as always, happy to discuss further.
Jon Best
Director, ATF
Mr Best's letter comes in response to these comments from the Government.
Ministers: Why we won't cut fuel duty
Biggest jump in cost of living since 2008
Fuel boss calls for "immediate" 2.5p fuel duty cut
Gov rules out cutting fuel duty in light of soaring prices at the pump
Fuel duty review ‘needed’ as war sets prices soaring
Pressure mounts on Gov to cut fuel duty
No action from Ministerial inflation group since pre-Brexit
'Chief Minister, time to act on coming price crisis'
Ukraine war 'to hit Jersey in the shops and at the pumps'
More islanders turning to food banks as inflation bites
INSIGHT: How will Jersey fuel its future?
The Treasury Minister spoke about why she was opposing a fuel duty cut on Express's Politics Disassembled podcast last month...
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