Ahead of next week's spring statement, Rishi Sunak said that he would 'stand by' people, but warned sanctions against Russia were not 'cost-free.' He is facing calls from some Tory MPs to cut fuel duty to help ease rising costs at the pumps.
The shadow chancellor has said the government should also be taxing oil and gas companies to fund
more generous energy discounts for poorer families.
The spring statement is not usually an occasion to announce big tax and spending decisions. However, this year Sunak is facing pressure to act on living standards amid soaring energy costs and rising household bills due to increasing inflation.
Sunak is facing calls from more than 50 MPs to cut fuel duty, which has been frozen for over a
decade, to reduce the price of petrol and diesel. Others within his party have been calling for the
government to scrap VAT on energy bills - while some want green levies removed to reduce costs.
