Britain will freeze fuel duties at their current level instead of implementing a planned rise on September 1st as crude oil prices are again soaring.
Faced with potential motorist anger as petrol prices approach one pound per litre, the UK Treasury said today in a statement to parliament that it would again freeze fuel duties, which haven't 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 on Tuesday that British inflation hit 2.5 per cent in June, the highest since September 2005 and well above the Bank of England's 2 per cent target.