Campaign group FairFuel UK says it plans to fight "tooth and nail" against rumoured plans to raise fuel duty at the pumps.

The organisation says it is backed in its bid by the Tunbridge Wells -headquartered Logistics UK - previously known as the Freight Transport Association - and the Road Haulage Association (RHA).

It comes after reports Chancellor Rishi Sunak is considering ending a ten-year freeze on the tax in the autumn Budget by raising it by up to 5p. It comes as the government looks to plug the financial hole caused by the pandemic.

But FairFuel UK says British motorists are already one of the highest taxed groups of drivers in the world and strongly opposes any such move.

Founder Howard Cox, from Cranbrook - who just last week called for an independent watchdog for pump prices - said: "Do not make the world’s highest taxed drivers, the fiscal fall guys in a post pandemic recovery budget.

"And hiding behind a green driven agenda to hike a regressive tax will be disingenuous and hit low-income drivers hardest. Instead, put much more money into people’s pockets.

"The extra consumer spending to drive up GDP, and all that goes with it, will help the economy recover quickly, the environment long term, and restore confidence in our beleaguered government. But by hitting drivers more in their pockets will driver Tory voters away from the once popular Boris.”

Reports suggest the Chancellor is considering an immediate 2p price rise at the pumps - but could add a further 3p.

Head to our business page for all of the latest news about businesses in Kent