Oxford News
UK fuel duty rise scrapped by Keir Starmer to help motorists
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that the 5p per litre fuel duty cut introduced in March 2022 will remain in place until the end of the year.
It was originally due to increase by 1p per litre on September 1, followed by two 2p rises on December 1 and March 1.
Sir Keir Starmer said: “Families across the United Kingdom are facing impacts of a war that we did not choose.
“This is not our war, but while the parties opposite wanted to jump into it, Labour will always protect working people.”
Trade in the Strait of Hormuz, disrupted by Iran’s restrictions on tanker movements, has driven up UK fuel costs by an average of 26p per litre for petrol and 44p for diesel since the conflict began on February 28.
Steve Gooding, director of motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, welcomed the extension.
Mr Gooding said: “Although today’s news on fuel duty won’t have the immediate effect of bringing forecourt prices down, at least it shows that ministers have registered the financial pain caused by rampant pump prices for individuals and for business.
“Since the start of the Iran conflict, drivers have already paid a war premium of a staggering £3 billion in inflated fuel prices, half-a-billion of which has gone to the Exchequer in VAT receipts.”
Sir Keir also confirmed that hauliers will receive a “12-month road tax holiday.”
The Treasury said this will reduce their annual renewal cost to £1, saving a typical heavy lorry operator £600 and those with the largest vehicles £912.
The RAC reported on Tuesday that the average price of petrol in the UK has risen to 158.5p per litre, the highest since December 2022.
It warned that further rises are likely, with pump prices expected to reach at least 160p in the coming weeks.
Additional relief has been promised to users of red diesel, including farmers and rail freight operators.
The Government will cut the duty from 10.18p to 6.48p per litre from June 15 until the end of the year.
Downing Street said the total package of measures will cost £455 million.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Given the current impact of the conflict, it is right to extend the 5p cut to the end of this year.”
It remains unclear whether the 5p duty cut will continue beyond 2026.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to outline longer-term plans for fuel duty in the autumn Budget.
John Cassidy, Managing Director at Close Brothers Motor Finance, said: “The Government’s decision to postpone the fuel duty rise will provide some respite to motorists.
“Events in the Middle East means drivers have been feeling the pinch at the pumps at a time when the cost of motoring continues to soar, putting strain on household finances.
“With 42% of motorists stating that they have been worried about further petrol price rises, the announcement should go some way to alleviating financial stress.
“However, many will see this as papering over the cracks of much wider concerns, and will expect the Government to implement further measures to ensure drivers can afford the cost of driving – something that is essential to the daily lives of millions.”
The crash was on the B4015 Clifton Hampden Road, which was closed between the A4074 and Chiselhampton Village.
Thames Valley Police has confirmed the road will be closed for several hours and motorists are being told to avoid the area.
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Police said: “The B4015 Clifton Hampden Road, Oxfordshire is currently closed following a serious collision. The B4015 is closed between the A4074 and Chiselhampton Village whilst officers investigate a serious collision.
“This closure is anticipated to be in place for a number of hours – please avoid the area and find an alternative route.
“If you were on the B4015 around 07:50 this morning, Sunday 9th August, and witnessed the collision, or a Harley Davidson Motorcycle in the moments leading up to the collision, please contact Thames Valley Police quoting reference 43260411339.”
The road re-opened at around 11.25am.
A record crowd of 27,500 people descended on Hill Farm, Steventon, near Didcot, for four days of live music and dancing from an impressive bill of big name stars and up-and-coming acts.
Organisers have now finished tidying up the site, which for rest of the year is a peaceful mixed arable and dairy farm.
While always a sell-out event, this year’s festival attracted a record crowd – with families of young children making up much of the increased numbers. They joined a friendly crowd made up of everyone from enthusiastically partying teenagers to veteran artists and festival-goers and volunteers serving up treats to revellers to raise money for local charities and good causes.
They enjoyed an array of rock, pop, country and dance acts including indie-rock bands The Maccabees, Two Door Cinema Club, The Wombats, The Vaccines and The Cribs.
Also playing the hallowed Truck Stage were Bobby Gillespie’s dance-rock band Primal Scream, fans’ favourite Kaiser Chiefs and The K’s. Among the best-known bands were iconic rabble-rousing rockers The Libertines who delighted the Sunday night crowd with a punchy, poetic set of familiar tunes – bandmates Carl Barât and Peter Doherty bonding over their songs having healed their much-publicised supposed rift.
The best-loved section of the festival for lovers of the Oxford music scene was the so-called Veterans and Virgins stage, which featured bands and artists who had played previous Truck Festivals along with new talent making their debut.
The stage is curated by brothers Robin and Joe Bennett of the band The Dreaming Spires, who set up the festival in 1998 as a birthday celebration for Robin – now a Green councillor on South Oxfordshire District Council.
While the brothers no longer run the whole festival, they continue to attract international and local artists to their popular stage as well as performing.
Robin, who launched his own solo act at the festival on the Sunday, said: “It has been a really good one this year. The sun has helped and everyone seems happy. We have had some great music.”
Robin was joined by charismatic Guatemalan/ Los Angeles rocker ‘Y’ on drums, guitar and vocals. He said: “It was the best one yet. It’s a great festival. You find new friends and always meet old friends – it’s like that first sip of wine. It’s Truck-tacular!”
Festival organisers said: “It’s hard to think of a Truck Festival weekend that has left us so delighted and full of joy than this one. From the moment gates opened on the Thursday, that atmosphere which makes Truck so special has shone bright and has made this year one that’s going to sit as the biggest and best Truck in festival history.
“Looking out across the festival site under stunning summer skies, we couldn’t help but feel emotional and grateful for the love and support that Truckers have showed us this year.”
A highlight was a surprise appearance by Supergrass star Gaz Coombes, from Wheatley, who joined the Oxford Symphony Orchestra as a special guest.
Fellow artist Nick Fowler, who lives near Wantage, also joined the orchestra – as well as making a number of other appearances on guitar throughout the weekend.
He said: “I have been going to Truck since 2003 and this was the best one yet. Having Gaz Coombes join the Oxford Symphony Orchestra was unbelievable – and the audience reaction was amazing. What a moment!”
Hill Farm’s Richard Binning was among those helping to feed punters at the Feel Good Food Hall, in which volunteers from charities and local good causes served everything from corn on the cob and steak sandwiches to Thai curry and macaroni cheese – with proceeds going to their respective organisations.
Richard follows in the footsteps of his farmer father, Alan, who, for many years, manned the grill with Didcot Rotary Club members, serving bacon butties, burgers and chips.
Richard joined volunteers dishing up steak sandwiches. He said: “This has been a great year. The weather makes a difference and the atmosphere has been fantastic.
“Having volunteers raising funds for good causes is what makes Truck Festival so unique. There is nothing else like it.”
David Wilson Homes’ The Pavilions, located on Bowlers Close, is now over 95 per cent sold, with just seven homes remaining.
The development offers three and four-bedroom properties designed to suit first-time buyers and growing families.
Helen Lewis, managing director at David Wilson Homes Mercia, said: “We are delighted to announce that we are over 95 per cent sold at The Pavilions and it’s the final opportunity to secure a new home in the community.”
Launched in September 2021, The Pavilions will provide a total of 148 new homes.
The project also includes more than 23 acres of green space, 49 bird and bat boxes, 325 new trees, a wetland meadow, and community allotments.
Ms Lewis added: “We’ve enjoyed great success at the development and it’s been fantastic to see the community take shape.
“We encourage anyone interested in securing a place at The Pavilions to visit our marketing suite to learn more about the properties available.”
More than £750,000 was pledged to support the local area through S106 agreements, including £300,000 for schools and early year education, £186,869 for onsite outdoor sports facilities, and a £34,230 bus infrastructure contribution.
The developer has supported the wider Banbury community through event sponsorships and donations to organisations such as Banbury Men’s Shed and The Let’s Play Project.
All remaining homes are ready to move into, with prices starting from £390,000.
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