MINISTERS have said they are ‘not convinced’ that recently proposed fuel duty cuts will help alleviate the rising cost of living.
In a response to a petition by ATF Fuels director Jonathan Best, which called for an ‘immediate’ fuel duty cut of 2.5 pence per litre and received over 2,000 signatures, ministers said they would continue to monitor the cost of living, the impact of global fuel prices and local pump prices, but did not support the proposed reductions – contending that an increase in ‘targeted interventions’ would be more effective at reducing the impact of growing costs on lower-income households.
The response said: ‘The government has already taken action to put money directly into the pockets of lower-income families to help alleviate the rising cost of living. In March, the Social Security Minister [Judy Martin] announced the introduction of a direct monthly payment of £20 to every adult or child in a household claiming income support and every pensioner claiming a means tested benefit from April to December 2022.
‘Ministers are not convinced that the range of fuel duty reductions proposed in this petition would deliver the outcomes sought. In any event, it would not be possible to lodge the necessary legislation before the general election.’
The full response can be found online at petitions.gov.je
