The government should share a tax windfall generated by high North Sea oil prices with small business owners, one industry body has claimed.
According to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), the increased cost of oil on the world market has generated an extra £450 million for the government.
Because the price of the commodity is expected to remain high, the FSB believes that the chancellor can easily afford to defer the planned two pence increase in fuel duty for at least a further six months.
John Wright, FSB National Chairman, said: "High fuel prices are crippling small business owners in every sector and in every area of the country. Those small businesses produce over half of UK gross domestic product and employ over 13 million people."
Because of this it is urgent that the government addresses the issue, he added.
Yesterday, lorry drivers staged a protest against the level of fuel duty and urged the government to allow haulage firms an essential user rebate.
