David Cameron hints he will scrap fuel duty increase planned for Budget

DAVID Cameron has dropped a strong hint that he will scrap a planned 1p-a-litre rise in fuel duty in next week's Budget.

The Prime Minister said he recognised the "pain" families and small businesses felt, as petrol prices crept over the 1.30-a-litre mark, and pointed out that the Budget was imminent.

He was urged to tackle the "ridiculously high" prices during Commons question time, when SNP Westminster leader Angus Robertson warned rising costs could force people out of work.

Mr Cameron noted the Labour government's fuel duty increases. "In their last Budget, they put through seven fuel increases - one for before the election and six afterwards," he said

MSPs were told fuel prices were crippling families and sparking a cost-of-living crisis. Labour attacked the government for failing to help motorists suffering at the pumps.

Shadow chief secretary to the Treasury Angela Eagle said: "Increased fuel duty costs are making the squeeze on living standards even worse."