AA: High fuel costs hurt wider economy

The government should reconsider January's planned fuel duty increase as the high cost of petrol and diesel is damaging the wider economy, the president of the AA has said.

Speaking to the BBC, Edmund King suggested that people were cutting back on journeys and household expenditure, causing a negative impact on businesses as well as motorists.

His comments came as MPs in the Commons prepared to debate a motion urging the government to stem price rises.

Tory MP Robert Halfon's motion was tabled in response to an e-petition signed by more than 100,000 people.

The government plans to increase fuel duty by 3p a litre in January - meaning it would cost an extra £1.50 to fill an average car.