Autumn Budget: fuel duty frozen and £100m for public EV charging

Chancellor John Healey’s first UK budget includes an extension of the fuel duty freeze, keeping the 5p-per-litre reduction on the levy in place until July next year. The government said total duty will be held at 52.95p per litre, after the cut was due to end on 31 December 2026. Healey linked the decision to continued high fuel prices driven by the war in the Middle East, and noted inflation rose from 2.6% in June to 3.5% in September partly due to motor fuel costs. Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch welcomed the freeze but questioned why it can’t last longer. The AA’s Edmund King said it delays the “price shock.” The government also confirmed VAT removal on domestic electricity will run until July, with £100 million for local EV charging announced, while public chargers will keep 20% VAT.