Up to 1,000 lorry drivers caused traffic chaos today as they descended on London in the largest ever protest over fuel duty.
Truckers are angry at soaring fuel prices that have resulted in the average cost of diesel passing far beyond the 120p-a-litre mark.
They are demanding a government rebate to protect their struggling industry and allow them to compete with European hauliers as prices continue to rocket.
Business Secretary John Hutton today gave the strongest hint yet that the planned 2p rise in fuel duty could be further postponed this autumn in a bid to mollify the hauliers.
He said the Chancellor would look at a freeze in the pre-Budget report, expected in November.
'This is a matter for the Chancellor to consider, as I'm sure he will later in the year. We want to make sure tha hauliers in the UK have a fair deal,' he said.
A convoy of 90 trucks left Medway in Kent to head towards central London along the M2 at 7.30am, an hour later than planned.
