Lib Dems to demand Government action on petrol prices as soon as Parliament returns

EMBARGO: 0600 Thursday 9th April 2026

Lib Dems to demand Government action on petrol prices as soon as Parliament returns

The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Chancellor to bring forward an emergency package of support as soon as Parliament returns on Monday, to help families hit by Trump’s war in Iran.

The party said if the government failed to act it will table its own motion to cut fuel duty by 10p immediately, and seek to force a vote on it.

The Liberal Democrats have demanded the Government provide emergency support to families and pensioners as prices in the UK continue to sit at inflated rates, despite the ceasefire announced in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Reporting by the BBC noted that oil prices were still higher than before the Iran war – with Brent crude a huge 30% more expensive than it was before the conflict began on 28 February.

Ed Davey, the party leader, said he’d use every opportunity the party had to demand the government take action to reduce prices for British consumers, and said he would look to force a vote on the issue if ministers fail to act. 

The move comes as the party launches their proposals for an emergency cut to fuel duty, which would save drivers £6.60 on every tank of petrol. The package proposed by the Liberal Democrats to get Britain moving would also cut rail fares by 10% and reduce the bus fare cap to £1, paid for by the unforecasted additional Treasury tax take due to higher costs reported last week by the Times. 

Ed Davey, Liberal Democrat Leader, said: 

“With energy bills, petrol prices and mortgage costs all soaring, families and businesses simply can’t wait any longer for help. The Chancellor must come forward with an emergency package to protect British families still being hit in the pocket by Trump’s idiotic war as soon as Parliament is back next week.

“Donald Trump might call a tirade on social media a job done, but for people here in Britain this ceasefire hasn’t brought down costs, which remain higher than before the war.

“If the Chancellor refuses to set out a plan to tackle soaring costs for British families, we will do everything we can do to force the government to act. We’ll use every opportunity we have to force a vote on a fuel duty cut to put money back in people’s pockets and keep Britain moving.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor

Please see details of the party’s plan to keep Britain moving here.

See BBC report cited above here.

See Times report here.