A backbench motion by 100 MP's to scrap the proposed increase in tax on fuel, piling more financial grief on the motorist, is set to cause the Government embarassement today, as many Tory MP's are expected to defy the Goverment line and vote against it.

The vote has been inspired by a petition delivered online and digitally signed by 100,000 voters, driven to debate stage by by Robert Halfon, Tory MP. The motion hopes to have the proposed hike in fuel tax of about 3p in January cancelled and also a further rise of 5p scrapped, due in August next year.

With the target inflation figure at 2% and the estimated level due to come in later today at 5.1%, this may be time for the government to step back from the deliverance of our own austerity package in the UK and give the public a little good news in a very gloomy local and global financial climate.