When questioned on BBC WM yesterday (27 January) Chancellor George Osborne commented that plans made by the previous Chancellor, Alistair Darling, to increase fuel duty on 1 April by 1 pence per litre could be addressed. 'We can override it, we are looking at that,' said Mr Osborne.

His comments have been welcomed by the Road Haulage Association and Freight Transport Association.

'This is very encouraging news,' said RHA chief executive Geoff Dunning. 'It proves beyond doubt that the noise we have been making on this issue has not fallen on deaf ears.'

However, he continued, 'a duty freeze in April can only regarded as a short-term fix. If we are to stand any chance of long-term growth it is essential that we see a long term solution to this problem.'

FTA chief executive Theo de Pencier commented: 'We welcome Mr Osborne's public support for scrapping the fuel duty rise but we want more than just warm words from the Chancellor for the sake of UK businesses and the country's economic recovery.  We look forward to seeing the small print.'

Both organisations, along with the BVRLA, have added their support to the Fair Fuel UK Campaign, which is to looking to axe the fuel duty rise planned for April and introduce a mechanism to stabilise fuel prices. If the proposed duty rise goes ahead as planned, a 1 pence per litre increase could equate, including rising inflation, to an increase of up to 5 pence per litre.