A motion to stop January's fuel duty increase has been backed by local MPs.

MPs debated the issue of high fuel prices in the House of Commons on Tuesday.

Conservative MP for Devon South West Gary Streeter and Conservative MP for Totnes Dr Sarah Wollaston, along with more than 100 MPs spanning all political parties, backed Conservative MP for Harlow, Robert Halfon's motion to stop the fuel duty increase. The debate was tabled in advance of plans to increase fuel duty by 3p a litre in January, a rise that had been postponed at the last budget.

Fuel prices would have been even higher if the Government had not suspended the fuel duty escalator and cut duty by 1p per litre. Petrol prices have tripled in the past two decades and Mr Streeter said: 'We have to find a way to reduce the price of fuel'.

Dr Wollaston said: 'I would like to see the Government re-evaluate the proposed January fuel duty. 'I understand that the Government has to tackle a huge deficit. However, there is evidence that further increases in duty may reduce the income for the treasury if businesses fold and people are unable to use their cars'. 

Dr Wollaston, who is a member of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Fair Fuel, spoke about the problems high fuel prices are causing for families and local businesses.

She said: 'The Treasury needs to go further for the rural Totnes constituency, where a car is not a luxury but is an essential for people wanting to get to work'.

Dr Wollaston mentioned the effect this was already having on many rural businesses such as Bandvulc Tyres and Sharpham Wine and Cheese. She also emph-asised the importance of fuel costs and called for greater transparency about green taxation as the duty should be used to support the bus service operators grant to protect local services. She ended her speech saying: 'Constituents have to choose between spending more of their income on fuel or face waiting at the road side for a bus that might not arrive'.