Jeremy Clarkson has issued a stark warning to drivers across the nation ahead of today's autumn Budget.
The former Grand Tour host and Clarkson's Farm star is no stranger to controversial headlines, and on the eve of today's Budget news, it looks like he's back among them once again.
Clarkson, 64, who has recently had a health scare, has commented on one reported aspect of the Budget and labelled it a 'disaster'.
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There are supposed to be some positives for millions of Brits in the Budget though, as it looks like the minimum wage is set to see an increase across the board for multiple age groups.
But this isn't the detail that the TV presenter is fixated on. Instead, it's to do with cars and driving - which comes as a shock to no one.
Best known for his time on Top Gear, Clarkson warned that rumoured changes and an increase in fuel duty will negatively impact millions of drivers across the UK.
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He used his platform to speak out against the likely possibility Labour Party Chancellor Rachel Reeves will unfreeze fuel duty, as the cost of having a car is expected to go up further.
Clarkson highlighted that working people 'need their cars', and went as far as slamming Reeves on Tuesday night (29 October), in a plea to help the 37 million drivers in Britain.
The last-minute cry for help came after news broke that there might be a harrowing increase of up to 7p per litre increase in fuel duty, which would add £175 to the average family's fuel tank costs every year, given that they fill up weekly.
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He added: “If you live in Kentish Town, then you are well served by many transport options. If you don’t live in Kentish Town, you aren’t. You need a car and you need to be able to afford to drive it.”
However, Reeves has instead announced today that she will continue the freeze on fuel duty next year and maintain the existing 5p cut, as she said that increasing it 'would be the wrong choice'.
Clarkson is not alone in having worries over the first Labour autumn Budget in 15 years though, as former Conservative Party Chancellor Jeremy Hunt weighed in.
Hunt explained: “Every single one will remember if the Chancellor double-crosses them today.”
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A leadership candidate for the party, Kemi Badenoch, said that the move would not help the economy grow by 'making it more expensive to fill up'.
Tory rival Robert Jenrick said that 'working people' would 'suffer' along with the economy, while Tory MP Saqib Bhatti added that 'the least' Reeves could do was 'back Britain’s 37 million motorists' and keep the 5p freeze in fuel duty.
It's not just the opposition kicking up a fuss though, as Labour MP Graham Stringer highlighted: “Keeping fuel duty low is fundamental to the health of the economy. Increasing fuel duty will make economic growth more difficult.”
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Labour MP Sarah Smith also stated: “I urge the chancellor to continue the fuel duty tax freeze.
"This will help economic growth and will make a huge difference to the residents and businesses in my constituency.”
Topics: Jeremy Clarkson, Cost of Living, Politics, UK News, Cars
Joshua Nair