Martin Lewis has issued a warning to drivers who use diesel and petrol after the Budget - and said: "It's fiction". The ITV The Martin Lewis Money Show star hit out at the decision to freeze fuel duty after Jeremy Hunt's speech today.

Mr Lewis tweeted: ""If I did nothing fuel duty would increase by 13% this month" - this is a fiction. He's just saying "I'm keeping fuel duty where it is not raising it." The Chancellor decides fuel duty each time, the idea is its goes up if they don't do something, but they always do something. #Budget2024 #BudgetXplanations."

"Would it be cynical to suggest that by freezing duties on fuel, alcohol and tobacco now it pushes it on to the next government who, should they raise the duties, will see a negative impact on inflation?" asked a Twitter/X user in response.

On fuel duty, Mairead Warren de Burca, Head of Indirect Tax and Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal Tax said: “The freeze on fuel duty and an extension of the temporary 5p cut will surprise no one, when no chancellor was realistically going to touch it.

"Fuel duty generates £24.3bn, with the current level at 52.95p/l. If the reduction were to be lifted, it would increase to 57.95p/l, however in a budget with few giveaways, the chancellor doesn’t want to risk the political consequences of raising it back to its normal rate.

“The question was not whether the chancellor would raise fuel duty but whether the chancellor who will raise fuel duty has been born yet?” Julie Daniels, motor insurance expert at Compare the Market, comments: "Motorists will be relieved that the Chancellor has chosen to freeze fuel duty. However, the cost of driving is still increasing, and some motorists are finding it difficult to stay on the road. Compare the Market’s figures show a typical motor premium has increased by £279 in February year-on-year to reach £892.

"With the cost of running a car becoming more expensive, many drivers have been forced to make fewer journeys or are cutting back on seeing friends and family. Worryingly, some expect to take on further debt to keep driving. With car insurance pushing up the cost of driving significantly, it’s important for motorists to compare prices online ahead of renewal as there could be hundreds of pounds to be saved. It’s also worthwhile for people to consider if they’re able to encourage or support friends and family members to look for savings online.”