New RHA Polling: 8 in 10 people now fear fuel duty hike will push up price of food & basics

80% want fuel duty cut or frozen as 5p relief is set to end in January, new RHA poll shows

Meanwhile, eight in ten people now fear fuel duty rises will push up price of food

Eight in ten people (78%) are now worried that rising fuel and transport costs will push up the price of food and basic household essentials, new polling for the RHA (Road Haulage Association) reveals.

Half of those surveyed want fuel duty cut, and overall, 80% now want it cut or frozen. Two-thirds say a 5p rise would hit their household financial budget. Those surveyed back targeted government help for the transport sector.

These findings land against the backdrop of fuel prices again rising rapidly, and ahead of the Budget on 28 October. Fuel duty is due to rise by 3p a litre on 1 January and a further 2p on 1 March, unwinding the temporary 5p cut, with an inflation-linked rise from April.

RHA Managing Director, Richard Smith, said:


"A fuel duty hike is a food price hike, and there’s clear public support to change course. People across the country are concerned about what fuel duty rises will do to their household budgets and the price of the weekly shop, and they're right to be.

"Almost everything on supermarket shelves got there on a lorry. When diesel goes up that cost has nowhere to go but on to the price of goods.

"Scrapping the planned fuel duty rises is the cheapest inflation control this Government has. An Essential User Rebate would also protect jobs, protect businesses and protect household budgets.”

Richard added:

“We're asking the Chancellor to listen. It’s time to back the businesses that keep Britain moving and stop the fuel duty hikes that push up costs for households.”

The RHA is urging John Healey to change course and scrap the planned fuel duty rises. The association is also calling on the Chancellor to bring in an essential user rebate (like Spain, Italy and France have) for the lorries, coaches and vans this country depends upon.

ENDS

Notes

Survation (for the RHA) surveyed 2,147 UK adults across different economic backgrounds between 26 and 28 August 2026. Standout figures in our polling:

• Fuel duty: 50% think it should be decreased, 30% kept (frozen) at the current level. Overall, 80% want fuel duty cut or frozen.
• Transport costs and everyday prices: Eight in ten people / 78% are concerned that increased fuel and transport costs will raise the price of food.
• Household financial budget impact of a 5p rise: 67% say a fuel duty rise would impact their household finances in some way: 47% would have to cut back in some areas, and 20% say they could not afford it.