Concerns are mounting over the impact of rising fuel costs, with warnings that planned tax increases could leave rural households and farmers facing some of the steepest financial pressures yet.
Rebecca Smith has joined Kemi Badenoch in raising concerns that proposed changes to fuel duty will disproportionately affect rural communities, where reliance on cars remains high due to limited public transport options.
They argue that those living and working in the countryside will be more exposed to rising costs, particularly farmers who depend heavily on red diesel for day-to-day operations.
Under current plans, red diesel duty is expected to increase in stages, reaching 11.14 pence per litre by Saturday, March 1, 2027 — an increase of close to 10 per cent.
The changes come at a time when farming businesses are already dealing with higher costs for fertiliser and wider economic pressures.
Rebecca said: “Labour do not get rural communities. If they did, they would never have introduced the hated Family Farm Tax which the Conservatives have promised to overturn as soon as we are back in Government.
“Now – just when the cost of fuel and other agricultural commodity prices are on the rise – they are set on pushing up taxes on red diesel. Farmers cannot afford to pay nearly ten per cent more tax on their fuel.
“The Conservative Party is calling on the Government to scrap the planned rise in Fuel Duty and take immediate action to support households across the country by implementing our Cheap Power Plan which will take 20 per cent off of electricity bills.”
Kemi echoed the concerns, adding: “Labour do not get rural communities. If they did, they would never have introduced the hated Family Farm Tax which Conservatives have promised to overturn as soon as we are back in Government.
“Now – just when the cost of fuel and other agricultural commodity prices are on the rise – they are set on pushing up taxes on red diesel. Farmers cannot afford to pay nearly ten per cent more tax on their fuel.
“Conservatives are calling on the Government to back farming and axe the fuel tax rise now. Rural communities rely on their cars so it is time to end the war on motorists and get Britain working again.”
Victoria Atkins, shadow environment secretary, also warned of wider consequences for the food supply chain.
Victoria said: “As food prices continue to rise for us all and with record numbers of farms closing, this government must stop piling more and more taxes on food producers.
“In these volatile times, we need our farmers growing food, not worrying about Labour’s record taxes. Labour’s time in government has already damaged the rural economy but this further tax hike will mean higher food prices for us all and rural transport costs. Labour must axe the fuel tax rise now.”
The Conservative Party is calling for the planned increase in fuel duty to be scrapped, alongside wider proposals including a reduction in electricity bills and measures to address rural crime.
The debate comes amid broader concerns about confidence within the farming sector, with previous data indicating a decline in optimism about the future of agriculture.
