Opposition day motion: fuel duty

Parliament voted on 18 March 2026 on an opposition day motion (a non-binding motion tabled by the opposition to force a debate and vote on a policy of its choosing) on fuel duty. The motion, which called for a freeze or reduction in fuel duty to ease the cost of motoring for households and businesses, was defeated by 259 votes to 103, Division 452. The result was expected; the government commanded a comfortable majority and opposition day motions are routinely voted down by the party in power. The vote centred on whether the government should hold or cut fuel duty rather than allow it to rise, a question with direct consequences for motorists, hauliers, and rural communities who depend heavily on private vehicles. Fuel duty is a significant revenue source for the Treasury, and any freeze or cut reduces the money available for public services. The government's "no" position defended its existing fiscal approach, while the "aye" side argued that cutting or freezing the duty would ease cost-of-living pressures for drivers and businesses facing high motoring costs. The division followed clear party lines. All 230 Labour MPs and 24 Labour and Co-operative MPs who voted sided with the government against the motion. The Conservatives provided 89 of the 103 aye votes, joined by all four Plaid Cymru MPs, six SNP members, one DUP MP, one Ulster Unionist, and two independents. The four Green MPs voted with the government. There were notable absences: 131 Labour MPs, 27 Conservatives, and 18 Labour and Co-operative MPs had no vote recorded.