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25/04/2005
Fuel protests at Cheshire oil refinery
Campaigners have staged a protest against rising fuel costs at an oil refinery in Cheshire.
The protest, which involved tractors and tankers, began at the Stanlow oil refinery in the early hours of this morning. The refinery was also picketed in the nationwide fuel protests in 2000, during which Britain virtually came to a standstill.
However, today’s protest is not believed to have been on the same scale as the protests five years ago. Cheshire police confirmed that the protestors agreed to park their vehicles on grass at a nearby roundabout. A Shell spokesperson was reported as saying that no disruption had been caused at the refinery.
David Handley for Farmers for Action, who organised the protest, told reporters that the campaigners wanted to highlight the issue of fuel prices ahead of the forthcoming general election. He told reporters that the government had promised to look at the situation relating to fuel and fuel tax years ago, but said that, in 2005, the government “don’t even seem to be having it on the agenda”.
Mr Handley confirmed that he had met with Shell representatives and he urged unions to back the protests.
Concern over fuel prices has been rising. Last week, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) reported that there was “growing anger and unrest” over the cost of fuel among Britain’s haulage fraternity and said that some of them were becoming “increasingly militant”.
RHA’s Chief Executive Roger King said: "We desperately need some kind of fuel stabilisation formula which would result in tax levels on fuel being reduced as world oil prices increase.”
(KMcA/SP)
The protest, which involved tractors and tankers, began at the Stanlow oil refinery in the early hours of this morning. The refinery was also picketed in the nationwide fuel protests in 2000, during which Britain virtually came to a standstill.
However, today’s protest is not believed to have been on the same scale as the protests five years ago. Cheshire police confirmed that the protestors agreed to park their vehicles on grass at a nearby roundabout. A Shell spokesperson was reported as saying that no disruption had been caused at the refinery.
David Handley for Farmers for Action, who organised the protest, told reporters that the campaigners wanted to highlight the issue of fuel prices ahead of the forthcoming general election. He told reporters that the government had promised to look at the situation relating to fuel and fuel tax years ago, but said that, in 2005, the government “don’t even seem to be having it on the agenda”.
Mr Handley confirmed that he had met with Shell representatives and he urged unions to back the protests.
Concern over fuel prices has been rising. Last week, the Road Haulage Association (RHA) reported that there was “growing anger and unrest” over the cost of fuel among Britain’s haulage fraternity and said that some of them were becoming “increasingly militant”.
RHA’s Chief Executive Roger King said: "We desperately need some kind of fuel stabilisation formula which would result in tax levels on fuel being reduced as world oil prices increase.”
(KMcA/SP)
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Fuel protests threatened
Protestors have threatened to begin blockading refineries next week, if the tax on fuel is not reduced. Andrew Spence, a spokesperson for the Fuel Lobby, warned that the blockades would begin at 6am on September 14, unless price cuts were made.
14 September 2005
Fuel protests attract low turnout
There has been a low turnout for the fuel tax protests scheduled to begin across Britain on Wednesday morning. The biggest planned demonstration, at the Shell oil refinery in Jarrow, south Tyneside, only attracted around a dozen supporters, while handfuls of supporters were also reported at other refineries around the country.
Fuel protests attract low turnout
There has been a low turnout for the fuel tax protests scheduled to begin across Britain on Wednesday morning. The biggest planned demonstration, at the Shell oil refinery in Jarrow, south Tyneside, only attracted around a dozen supporters, while handfuls of supporters were also reported at other refineries around the country.
12 November 2012
MPs To Vote On Fuel Rise Delay
MPs will vote on Monday evening on plans to increase fuel duty by 3 pence a litre in January. Labour have said "it would be wrong" to bring the new rise in s soon an want it delayed until at least April. Conservative MPs concerned about the cost of petrol said they believed Chancellor George Osborne was "in listening mode" over the issue.
MPs To Vote On Fuel Rise Delay
MPs will vote on Monday evening on plans to increase fuel duty by 3 pence a litre in January. Labour have said "it would be wrong" to bring the new rise in s soon an want it delayed until at least April. Conservative MPs concerned about the cost of petrol said they believed Chancellor George Osborne was "in listening mode" over the issue.
19 March 2008
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Over 60s who haven't yet claimed the Winter Fuel Payment have just days to get in touch with The Pension Service to receive help with energy costs. Pensions Minister Mike O'Brien urged older people to get their claim forms in the post before 28 March. The Winter Fuel Payment is £200 for the over 60s rising to £300 for the over 80s.
Countdown For Fuel Payments For Pensioners
Over 60s who haven't yet claimed the Winter Fuel Payment have just days to get in touch with The Pension Service to receive help with energy costs. Pensions Minister Mike O'Brien urged older people to get their claim forms in the post before 28 March. The Winter Fuel Payment is £200 for the over 60s rising to £300 for the over 80s.
24 June 2005
British Airways announces ticket price rises
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British Airways announces ticket price rises
British Airways (BA) has announced an increase in fuel surcharge on ticket prices, due to increasing oil price rises. The longhaul fuel surcharge will increase to £48 per return trip, while the surcharge for shorthaul flights will rise to £16 for a return trip, for all tickets purchased from June 27.
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