‘Trumpflation’ bites as Helen says Government must act

North Shropshire MP, Helen Morgan, says the Government “must act” to help residents with the impact of the Iran war, as a poll revealed one in ten are stockpiling fuel.

Helen said rural areas were among the hardest hit, and dubbed latest UK inflation figures as evidence of ballooning ‘Trumpflation’.

Inflation rose to 3.3% in March, up from 3% in February. The ONS said fuel prices saw their biggest increase since January 2023.

Helen is urging the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, to introduce an emergency 10p cut to fuel duty, saving 12p per litre at the pumps, after the ONS confirmed Trump’s war on Iran had caused the biggest rise in fuel prices in more than three years.

The calls come as the results of a Liberal Democrat poll show that people are stockpiling fuel and cutting back spending to afford petrol and diesel.

Helen has repeatedly highlighted the impact of higher fuel costs on those households in North Shropshire who are reliant on heating oil.

While gas and electricity customers are protected from soaring costs through a price cap, no such limit exists for heating oil, which has seen prices surge since the war began.

On Wednesday (22nd April), the Lib Dems unveiled a giant inflated balloon of Donald Trump on Whitehall, flanked by ‘cheerleaders’ Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch, as part of a new campaign highlighting the impact of so-called ‘Trumpflation’.

Helen Morgan, Liberal Democrat MP for North Shropshire, said: “It’s unfair that the hardworking people of North Shropshire are being punished, as we’re seeing yet another rise in inflation caused by Trump’s idiotic war on Iran.

“People shouldn’t have to think about stockpiling fuel or cutting back on food to fill up their car or van - adding to an already devastating cost-of-living crisis.

“It’s only the Lib Dems who are putting pressure on the government to protect British families from Trumpflation – they must act to cut fuel prices and bring down the cost of living.”

Polling commissioned this week by the Liberal Democrats has revealed the British public are taking drastic action to afford spiralling fuel prices as the impact of ‘Trumpflation’ bites.

Among those who drive a car regularly, nearly a third (30%) say they have cut back on other spending to afford fuel. One in 10 say they are stockpiling fuel, nearly half have driven less because of soaring fuel prices (49%), while over a quarter (28%) say they have delayed or cancelled non-essential journeys, such as visiting friends or family.