Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a cut to fuel duty in his Spring Statement in the Commons. It means that petrol prices will be reduced by 5p per litre.
This will save the average person £3.30 every time they fill up. The changes came into effect from 6pm on Wednesday, March 23.
We asked WalesOnline readers if the chancellor has gone far enough by reducing the fuel duty by 5p per litre. Plenty of people all said the same thing.
READ MORE: What Rishi Sunak's Spring Statement means if you live in Wales.
People in Wales think the changes have not gone far enough. They say the chancellor is "out of touch" and is not helping anyone.
WalesOnline reader Jayne Hughes said: "Too little to help anyone!! A token gesture that is all. He is so out of touch...as most of the Tories are. I really feel for those who have already been struggling to cope financially, but this doesn't really help anyone."
Simon Perrott said: "Not even close to being far enough. We are being driven in to poverty by multi millionaires who won't feel the effects of the massive price hikes we are all suffering with. They are so far out of touch with reality, they can no longer represent normal working class people and are incapable of making the tax and price cuts that are really and desperately needed by us all."
Paul Jenkins added: "He’s so out of touch but I guess that’s the joys of being incredibly wealthy yourself you wouldn’t know every day struggles."
Many people suggested that the chancellor should have done more to reduce fuel prices. They said that oil and energy companies should be regulated and prices cut more than 5p per litre. This comes as fuel prices increase by 18p per litre in the last month.
Louise Thomas said: "Would need to reduce fuel by 30p to make any difference, regulate the energy companies too so they’re not making huge profits from a bad situation!"
Jean Sydenham added: "Definitely hasn't gone far enough. Petrol stations had already put it up this morning so the 5p will only put it back to what was being paid yesterday. This is not going to help people with the forthcoming energy bills or the price of food going up. Nothing for the working class people."
Readers were angry about the profits of oil companies amid the cost of living crisis. They pointed out that the reduction will do little to address other financial pressures faced by millions. Read about how the Spring Statement will actually affect you.
Philip William Richards said: "No where near! The oil companies profit is a percentage of price! Massive increase in profit for shareholders, the profit should be capped at a reasonable level to get pump prices down."
Farouk Sama said: "It’s a joke. Most petrol stations put it up this morning anyway as this was leaked. Yet oil companies are literally making billions in profits. Goes up 30-40p and we get a miserly 5p off. That’ll last us until next week when they go up yet again. Combine that with the utility companies taking the p*** and it’s all just going to take [its] toll isn’t it?"
Loads of people told us how much the cost of filling their car up has increased over the last few years and said these increases are hardly touched by a reduction of approximately £3.30 per tank. Families now face the biggest fall in living standards on record despite promised tax cuts.
Edwin Jones said: "3 years ago it would cost me under £50 to fill my little car. Last week I had just over half a tank and it cost me just over £40 to top up. So no, 5p per litre is not enough."
Paula Davies-Webber told WalesOnline: "The cost of filling my tank has gone up £20 in the last 3 years! What do you think? Enough? Not on your Nelly!"
Andrea Lemin added: "I bought my car in Dec 2020, it cost £68 to fill. Last week £105. They are broke, that's why they're doing this. Rich get richer whilst the rest of us struggle on."
