On July 17th 2008,Ashok Kumar claimed a ‘positive outcome after lobbying hard on the issue’ after the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, announced the postponement of the 2p rise in fuel duty that was to have been introduced in October. 

The announcement followed a parliamentary question on the subject that Ashok had put to the Chancellor. 

Ashok said “In that sense, the Chancellor has listened hard to concerns raised by myself and other MPs in the Northern Region who have lobbied his hard on this issue.  I do know from my constituency postbag, that the increases in fuel costs were hitting my constituents hard.   In a constituency like mine, which has a large rural hinterland, people often have to drive long distances just to get to and from work or to do any large scale shopping.    There are also many people on low wages and this only adds to the scale of the problem.” 

“I think the Chancellors decision was a wise one.   Obviously the main rises in fuel costs are down to international movements in oil costs, which are dictated by the producers and colluded with by the giant oil companies.  That has to be tackled globally, which  is what the Prime Minister is now doing.  But the proposed increases in fuel duty were in the government’s power to postpone, and this has now been done. I am very glad at this move, and I know it will be welcomed by my constituents.”