{
  "id": 16905860,
  "title": "Budget 2026: Healey freezes fuel duty again",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/budget-2026-healey-freezes-fuel-duty-again",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-28T13:23:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "City AM",
    "slug": "city-am",
    "url": "https://www.cityam.com/fuel-duty-frozen-for-another-hear-in-budget/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chancellor John Healey has frozen fuel duty for a 15th year in a row and extended a 5p cut to motorists in the wake of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The fuel levy remains at 53p per litre until July, according to Healey. He explained, \"For millions of people, the cost of living and the cost of doing business are the same. The home is the office. The van is the family car.\" Earlier this year, the government extended the 5p cut and reduced red diesel to its lowest rate in over 20 years. As the Middle East conflict continues to drive up fuel prices, Healey has decided to keep these tax cuts for motorists through the winter and spring until July. The war has caused diesel prices to rise sharply, with refined fuel remaining close to the record high of 200p per litre, even after attempts to release emergency supplies into the international market. Unleaded petrol prices are currently at their highest since early 2002, when fuel shortages were a concern. Motorists are paying an average of 173.5p per litre for petrol, though prices are expected to fall soon. Healey stated that the move will support households, hauliers, and farmers. Earlier, the Chancellor announced plans to remove standing charges from energy bills for 23 million homes, deeming them \"unfair and outdated.\" This fee added to gas bills, regardless of energy consumption, disproportionately affects poorer households.",
  "summary": "John Healey has frozen fuel duty for a 15th consecutive year and extended the Ukraine war 5p cut, as part of a raft of small measures aimed to shield households from the Middle East conflict. The Chancellor confirmed the levy on petrol and diesel would remain frozen at 53p a litre until July, saying: “For [...]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Guardian Business",
        "title": "Budget 2026 live: Healey announces £100 energy payment for millions and 3% rise in bank surcharge",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/budget-2026-live-healey-announces-100-energy-payment-for-millions-and",
        "published": "2026-10-28T13:24:21.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}