Prime Minister's question asked in the House of Commons, by David Simpson (Democratic Unionist Party). It was answered on Wednesday, 25 April 2012 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Engagements

Question: Recently, the Prime Minister conceded that the Government had made an ““important mistake”” in the handling of the fuel crisis. Would it not be a positive step in correcting that mistake were the Government to scrap the 3p increase in August, in order to help motorists, haulage companies and hard-pressed families in the UK?

Answer: The Government have actually used about £4 billion of Budget money to keep petrol prices down. They are about 6p lower than they would be under Labour's plans. Let me update the hon. Gentleman and the House on the issue of the fuel strike. It now looks as if there will be longer before a strike could take place. I am determined that we use that time to ensure that every piece of resilience is in place. The plans we inherited would have allowed the military to provide perhaps 10% of our fuel needs. We have now managed to lift that to about 60% or 70%. We are in a much better place now because of the proper emergency planning that this Government have done, as opposed to the Labour party, which just crosses its fingers and hopes for the best from the trade unions. I will certainly do that. I have written to Maud to congratulate her on this fantastic milestone, and I am sure that as she speeds past Usain Bolt, she will turn round and reflect that the only way is Essex.

Secondary information