Nigel Farage has pledged to reverse Labour's planned fuel duty hike by scrapping net zero levies, staging a press conference at a petrol station in Derbyshire alongside Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick. The Reform UK leader wrote in The Sun that he aimed to “shame” Chancellor Rachel Reeves into a U-turn, as she faces pressure over a potential 5p increase in fuel duty amid rising oil prices linked to the Iran conflict.
The stunt comes as Reform UK gears up for the May local elections, with Farage set to hold another rally in Basingstoke tonight alongside MP Suella Braverman. The party is seeking to capitalise on public discontent over fuel costs and government policies.
Separately, the government has faced criticism over its handling of proposed changes to jury trials. Shadow justice secretary Nick Timothy accused ministers of rushing the Courts and Tribunals Bill through Parliament, noting it was published less than two weeks ago with no consultation. He highlighted that only five days have been allocated for line-by-line scrutiny in committee, less than for other major bills.
Justice Secretary David Lammy defended the reforms, arguing they would create a justice system “fit for the 21st century.” The bill, which removes jury trials for cases with likely sentences under three years, has sparked fierce debate. Lammy insisted it would reduce delays and prevent cases from collapsing, ensuring offenders face justice.
In other developments, the government has launched an eight-week consultation on digital ID plans after abandoning mandatory requirements. Chief Secretary Darren Jones said the aim is to make public services more efficient, drawing comparisons to countries like Estonia. However, Tory shadow minister Mike Wood dismissed the U-turn as rendering the scheme “useless,” questioning its purpose after months of insisting it was essential for tackling illegal migration.
