Fuel crisis - you have your say

For every penny that fuel increases, the Treasury nets almost 200,000 a day extra in VAT - and whatcar.com readers have been letting us know their thoughts on the situation.

What Car? believes a massive windfall like this should be put back into road transport and is calling on the Government to ring-fence the cash for motorists - and we want to hear your thoughts on the subject.

Get involved
What Car? needs you to help drive home the point about the fuel windfall. Here's how to help:

1.Sign up for our Downing Street petition by clicking here if you believe that the extra VAT cash raised from increased pump prices should be spent on motorists;
2.Take our quick online survey here and let us know what you think about fuel prices and how they've increased;
3.Tell us your stories. Click here to let us know how you've been hit by the rising cost of fuel.

Your responses so far
I'm a disabled person on a fixed income and I'm having to cut back on food and other items just to fill my car with petrol. The Government has room to lower fuel duty. Fuel has to be looked at as an essential item, not a luxury.
David Haley

The cost of fuel is, quite frankly, ridiculous. As a father with many responsibilities, I've faced a huge increase in my weekly fuel costs, and my job in another city cannot be sustained at this cost. I'm now facing giving up my job and looking for something else closer to home, which is unfair. The Government is benefiting hugely and don't seem to be bothered.
Kulvinder Billan

The tax we pay in this country is ridiculous. Because of especially high fuel tax I now have to stop a lot of things that I would normally do. My child's savings fund has been considerably reduced because I simply cannot afford it.
Binoy Koshy Kuriakose

I reckon the likelihood of the Government ring-fencing a single penny of fuel tax is near to zero. Motoring has been, and will remain, the cash cow. Meantime, lean driving has resulted in me coaxing 49.5mpg from my Astra 1.6i Estate on long trips.

That's nearly 20% better than usual (41.5 mpg), in exchange for a slightly slower cruising speed, rarely exceeding 3500rpm, and lighter throttle all round. Not bad! It's interesting how few others seem to be doing the same, especially on motorways.
David Jefferis

In March of this year, noticing that oil prices were rising by the week (my weekly petrol bill was over 60), I decided to downgrade my car. I traded in my much-loved Focus 1.8 Zetec Climate estate for a 65bhp Micra diesel.

Now, driving my new car is a completely different experience. I can't drive fast and I monitor my fuel consumption constantly. I'm currently averaging 65mpg. Even with the rise in diesel prices, I'm saving about 100 per month, and the tax and insurance were cheaper, too.
Ian Murray

I'm disgusted by the Government's complete lack of understanding on the issue of fuel tax. It's not driving people off the roads, it's affecting their disposable income.

The greed of the Government is staggering and yet they sit back and do nothing to help the millions of Britons who are struggling to fuel their cars.

Government income from fuel tax during boom periods like this should be capped. It's blatant profiteering. I was stunned when Gordon Brown went to OPEC regarding the cost issue. What a nerve: the fuel isn't expensive - it's the tax that's crippling people.
Keith Cormack

I have two major problems with high fuel prices. First, the car is my only realistic form of transport, given that I'm miles away from a train or bus station and have to drive regularly for food shopping and so on.

Second, my aunt and uncle have four children and need a car with at least six seats and lots of space for luggage. The way they've been penalised for buying a large car disgusts me, and goes to show that the Government has absolutely no sympathy for large families.
Cameron de Montaye

Due to fuel prices, I'm staying at home more during the summer and not travelling to see other family members. I've also started using my push bike, weather permitting, to get to work. When I do use the car, I drive as smoothly as possible and try to predict what is going on well in front of me and therefore slow down gradually. Travelling out of peak times also helps.
Andrew Sharples