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14/09/2005
Fuel protests attract low turnout
There has been a low turnout for the fuel tax protests scheduled to begin across Britain on Wednesday morning.
The biggest planned demonstration, at the Shell oil refinery in Jarrow, south Tyneside, only attracted around a dozen supporters, while handfuls of supporters were also reported at other refineries around the country.
However, protestors have insisted that they have successfully made their point about recent price increases. Andrew Spence, spokesperson for the People’s Fuel Lobby, told the BBC that the group had only wanted a handful of protestors and had merely wanted to draw attention to the recent fuel price increases. He stressed that protestors had not planned to blockade refineries, as had happened in 2000. He said: “I doubt that the government would have given us the 1.2p freeze in duty proposed for October. I like to think that we have achieved something this week.”
In 2000, Britain came to a virtual standstill as a result of blockades by protestors at oil refineries across the country. The announcement of further protests prompted ‘panic buying’ of a fuel at many petrol stations on Tuesday, which resulted in some stations running out of fuel.
However, the transportation of fuel has not been disrupted and many of those stations, which ran out on Tuesday, have now reportedly been restocked.
Ray Holloway, from the Petrol Retailers Association said that the low turnout at the protests was predictable and urged motorists not to ‘panic buy’. He said that the fact that six days’ worth of petrol had been purchased within two days was “crazy”. “Motorists simply must accept that there is going to be no disruption to their petrol and diesel supplies,” he said.
Chris Hunt, from the UK Petroleum Industry Association, also described the protests as “fairly low key” and said that they had not obstructed tankers. He said that police were on stand-by in order to prevent the chaos that occurred during the protests five years ago.
Fuel prices have risen rapidly recently, due to a combination of factors, including the impact of Hurricane Katrina in the US.
On Tuesday, Chancellor Gordon Brown called for Opec countries to increase supply in order to tackle the rising prices, during a speech at the TUC conference. However, he resisted calls to reduce fuel duty.
(KMcA/SP)
The biggest planned demonstration, at the Shell oil refinery in Jarrow, south Tyneside, only attracted around a dozen supporters, while handfuls of supporters were also reported at other refineries around the country.
However, protestors have insisted that they have successfully made their point about recent price increases. Andrew Spence, spokesperson for the People’s Fuel Lobby, told the BBC that the group had only wanted a handful of protestors and had merely wanted to draw attention to the recent fuel price increases. He stressed that protestors had not planned to blockade refineries, as had happened in 2000. He said: “I doubt that the government would have given us the 1.2p freeze in duty proposed for October. I like to think that we have achieved something this week.”
In 2000, Britain came to a virtual standstill as a result of blockades by protestors at oil refineries across the country. The announcement of further protests prompted ‘panic buying’ of a fuel at many petrol stations on Tuesday, which resulted in some stations running out of fuel.
However, the transportation of fuel has not been disrupted and many of those stations, which ran out on Tuesday, have now reportedly been restocked.
Ray Holloway, from the Petrol Retailers Association said that the low turnout at the protests was predictable and urged motorists not to ‘panic buy’. He said that the fact that six days’ worth of petrol had been purchased within two days was “crazy”. “Motorists simply must accept that there is going to be no disruption to their petrol and diesel supplies,” he said.
Chris Hunt, from the UK Petroleum Industry Association, also described the protests as “fairly low key” and said that they had not obstructed tankers. He said that police were on stand-by in order to prevent the chaos that occurred during the protests five years ago.
Fuel prices have risen rapidly recently, due to a combination of factors, including the impact of Hurricane Katrina in the US.
On Tuesday, Chancellor Gordon Brown called for Opec countries to increase supply in order to tackle the rising prices, during a speech at the TUC conference. However, he resisted calls to reduce fuel duty.
(KMcA/SP)
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07 September 2005
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Protestors have threatened to begin blockading refineries next week, if the tax on fuel is not reduced. Andrew Spence, a spokesperson for the Fuel Lobby, warned that the blockades would begin at 6am on September 14, unless price cuts were made.
Fuel protests threatened
Protestors have threatened to begin blockading refineries next week, if the tax on fuel is not reduced. Andrew Spence, a spokesperson for the Fuel Lobby, warned that the blockades would begin at 6am on September 14, unless price cuts were made.
24 June 2005
British Airways announces ticket price rises
British Airways (BA) has announced an increase in fuel surcharge on ticket prices, due to increasing oil price rises. The longhaul fuel surcharge will increase to £48 per return trip, while the surcharge for shorthaul flights will rise to £16 for a return trip, for all tickets purchased from June 27.
British Airways announces ticket price rises
British Airways (BA) has announced an increase in fuel surcharge on ticket prices, due to increasing oil price rises. The longhaul fuel surcharge will increase to £48 per return trip, while the surcharge for shorthaul flights will rise to £16 for a return trip, for all tickets purchased from June 27.
16 September 2005
Fuel protest continues on motorway
A ‘go-slow’ crawl by fuel protestors on a Welsh motorway is continuing, despite disappointing turnout for other protests on Wednesday. A convoy, which consists of lorries, farm vehicles, vans and other vehicles, is travelling along the M4 in south Wales, after leaving from near Llanelli to travel to Newport.
Fuel protest continues on motorway
A ‘go-slow’ crawl by fuel protestors on a Welsh motorway is continuing, despite disappointing turnout for other protests on Wednesday. A convoy, which consists of lorries, farm vehicles, vans and other vehicles, is travelling along the M4 in south Wales, after leaving from near Llanelli to travel to Newport.
12 November 2012
MPs To Vote On Fuel Rise Delay
MPs will vote on Monday evening on plans to increase fuel duty by 3 pence a litre in January. Labour have said "it would be wrong" to bring the new rise in s soon an want it delayed until at least April. Conservative MPs concerned about the cost of petrol said they believed Chancellor George Osborne was "in listening mode" over the issue.
MPs To Vote On Fuel Rise Delay
MPs will vote on Monday evening on plans to increase fuel duty by 3 pence a litre in January. Labour have said "it would be wrong" to bring the new rise in s soon an want it delayed until at least April. Conservative MPs concerned about the cost of petrol said they believed Chancellor George Osborne was "in listening mode" over the issue.
19 March 2008
Countdown For Fuel Payments For Pensioners
Over 60s who haven't yet claimed the Winter Fuel Payment have just days to get in touch with The Pension Service to receive help with energy costs. Pensions Minister Mike O'Brien urged older people to get their claim forms in the post before 28 March. The Winter Fuel Payment is £200 for the over 60s rising to £300 for the over 80s.
Countdown For Fuel Payments For Pensioners
Over 60s who haven't yet claimed the Winter Fuel Payment have just days to get in touch with The Pension Service to receive help with energy costs. Pensions Minister Mike O'Brien urged older people to get their claim forms in the post before 28 March. The Winter Fuel Payment is £200 for the over 60s rising to £300 for the over 80s.
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