Motorists could be hit with increased petrol and diesel pump prices within weeks as fuel duty costs are set to rise, according to a leading expert.

Howard Cox, founder of FairFuelUK and the leading campaigner against fuel duty increases claimed a rise was set to be announced in the October Budget.

Howard claimed he had received “credible intelligence” fees would increase with a 10p per litre increase said to be around the corner.

However, the expert has predicted that increasing fees would backfire and likely “damage the economy”. The updates are also likely to be hugely unpopular among UK drivers.

Howard said: “I have credible intelligence that the Treasury has virtually settled, through its internal economic modelling, on increasing Fuel Duty by 10p/litre.

“For nearly 15 years, I have proven that hiking levies on one of the highest-taxed motorist sectors in the world would damage the economy, jobs, inflation, business investment and freedom of movement.

“Such a punitive hike will also stifle growth, which may be why his speech did not even mention Labour’s central campaigning pre-election mantra.”

Fuel duty rates have not risen since 2011 with a further 5p per litre cut introduced in 2022 to help families tackle the cost of living crisis.

Labour supported the Conservatives freeze on fuel duty rates but failed to rule out increases ahead of the General Election. 

He said: “I would urge the Chancellor to keep motorists in mind when considering any possible changes to the rate of fuel duty charged.

“While retailers strive to keep the prices of fuel as low as possible in a highly competitive market, there is no question that geopolitical events have driven prices up.”

Gordon added that any rise in pump prices “would increase costs to both businesses and motorists: and could fuel inflation.