UK Prime Minister Theresa May has pledged to freeze UK petrol duties for the ninth consecutive year during her keynote speech at the Conservative party conference. Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond said although the Treasury would have benefitted to the tune of £800m ($1bn), fuel duties imposed a "significant burden" on the public. It was believed the additional funds would have been used for the £20bn ($26bn) annual injection into the National Health Service. The announcement came as Mr Hammond, who is also in charge of Brexit negotiations, warned that Britain could face an "economic calamity" if it left without securing trade deals.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May has pledged to freeze UK petrol duties for the ninth consecutive year during her keynote speech at the Conservative party conference. Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond said although the Treasury would have benefitted to the tune of £800m ($1bn), fuel duties imposed a "significant burden" on the public. It was believed the additional funds would have been used for the £20bn ($26bn) annual injection into the National Health Service. The Green party MP Caroline Lucas criticised the freezing decision and accused the government of "negligent failure" in cutting pollution.