Damon Walford, managing director of Aldermore Invoice Finance, a division of the new British bank which has been campaigning for the government to postpone the 3p rise in fuel duty said:

"Today's news will come as welcome relief to hauliers across the country, but there is still more that can be done to create parity between UK and European fuel prices. For example, a litre of diesel in the UK costs 139 pence, whereas in Germany it's just 115 pence and 118 pence in France. And for those drivers passing through Luxembourg, they can fill-up for just 96p per litre.

"If we want a truly competitive haulage industry, we need to create a level playing field with our continental counterparts, which means going beyond a postponement of the 3p price increase."