Govt 'could halt rise in fuel duty' amid conflict

THE Government is open to halting its plans to raise fuel duty for the first time in more than a decade should the war in the Middle East continue into the latter half of the year, Ed Miliband has hinted.

- 

The Energy Secretary insisted the Government will "stand by the British people in this crisis" as he made appearances on Sunday morning's broadcast round.

Fuel duty, the 52.95p per litre tax on fuel paid at the pump, is due to rise for the first time in 16 years at the end of August.

Ministers have faced calls from their political rivals to U-turn on the planned 1p tax hike in light of the oil price spikes caused by the US and Israel's war with Iran.

Tehran has been blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a major shipping route used by oil tankers transporting the fuel out of the Middle East, causing global price spikes.