Fuel duty could soar under Lib Dem plans

The Energy Secretary has backed plans to raise £15 billion in environmental taxes that could see 30p being added to a litre of fuel.

Chris Huhne is currently drawing up measures for government revenue generated by green taxes to rise from 7.7 percent to 10 percent within five years - a rise from £35 billion a year to over £50 billion.

He spoke at the Liberal Democrat party conference this week in support of a policy motion favouring such a rise: "Green taxes make so much sense in the current financial climate. Furthermore, all the evidence is that the green tax switch is popular as long as people can see the extra revenue being used to cut other taxes."