Taxation of road fuels
This Commons Library briefing discusses the approach of Labour, Coalition and Conservative Governments since 2010 to taxing road fuels.

The price of energy has increased significantly since summer 2021; both in the UK and globally. This briefing summarises the Government support packages following news of a 54% rise in the cap on gas and electricity, and the reaction to them. It also answers frequently asked questions about support available to help customers with energy bills.
Energy price rises and the Energy Bills Rebate (4 MB , PDF)
The Default Tariff Cap, set independently of Government by the gas and electricity regulator Ofgem, sets a limit on the unit price of gas and electricity for households on default tariffs in Great Britain.
On 3 February, Ofgem announced the Default Tariff Cap will rise by 54% from 1 April 2022. (The cap is also known as the energy price cap. We refer to it as the default tariff cap in this briefing.)
On the same day, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced an Energy Bills Rebate to protect households from rising energy costs, as well as an expansion of the Warm Homes Discount Scheme. The Energy Bills Rebate will include:
Energy Bill Discount Scheme
Council Tax Rebate
The devolved administrations will receive around £715 million funding through the Barnett formula to provide comparable support where the UK Government support doesn’t cover Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
The Government’s press release and factsheet on the energy bills rebate provide more information on the energy bills discount and the council tax rebate.
The Library briefings The energy price crunch and Energy bills and tariff caps provide more information on the background to rising energy prices, and on the development of the Default Tariff Cap.
The Library will publish updates to both of these briefing papers in due course.
Energy price rises and the Energy Bills Rebate (4 MB , PDF)
This Commons Library briefing discusses the approach of Labour, Coalition and Conservative Governments since 2010 to taxing road fuels.
This briefing gives an overview of rising prices, particularly food, energy and fuel prices, including the potential effect of the conflict in Ukraine. It outlines Government support as well as how rising prices, interest rates and other policies which will affect household budgets.
This page features Commons Library publications relevant to the current crisis in Ukraine.