Figures revealed today show that since Labour came to power in 1997, car-related taxes have risen 50% with the average driver now paying about £1,800 a year in taxes related to driving. In addition to this, the British Chambers of Commerce estimate that the Treasury has received a £505 million windfall from fuel alone. Rising fuel prices mean that the Government has received £115 million pound EXTRA in VAT due to the rising price of fuel at the pump.

Commenting, Andrew Percy said, "Instead of acting to deal with the rising cost of living, Gordon Brown and this Labour Government has actually been able to take an extra £115 million from drivers by way of fuel duty. Once again, the Government is taking more in tax whilst hard working local people are taking a hit.

Labour don't understand rural communities such as ours here in Brigg and Goole where hikes in the price of fuel are felt especially hard. Add into this the rise in the cost of car tax, it is clear to see that drivers are being used to fund this Government's economic black hole.

No doubt our local Labour MPs wont feel this increase as they will continue to charge local taxpayers for their petrol bills!"

 Andrew Percy is demanding action from Gordon Brown and the Government to deal with the rising cost of living locally. Official figures released today show that inflation has jumped from 2.5% to 3%. Another report today shows that food prices are rising at the fastest pace ever. A survey by independent price comparison site mySupermarket.co.uk shows that -

• Butter has risen by 60%.
• Pasta has risen by between 81% and 113%.
• The cost of a pound of beef mince has risen by about 15%.
• A loaf of bread is now about 20% more expensive than it was a year ago.

Andrew Percy says, "Anyone who says that the rising cost of living is nothing to do with the Government only has to look at the inflation figures for this month. Those figures show that many of the price rises are as a result of tax rises introduced by Gordon Brown in the budget.

Local people are being hurt by rises food and fuel prices and the only answer coming from Labour is to raises taxes on hard-working people yet further. It doesn't matter where you look, Council Tax, Car Tax or the doubling of the 10p tax rate this Government is making life harder and more expensive for local people.

The news on inflation today coincided with a report by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveys which found that the fall in house prices is the 'worst in 30 years'.

In the modern global economy I accept that the Government can't address every problem but it can at the very least try. Sadly, under Gordon Brown and Labour we have no leadership and instead of showing people that the Government is on their side, our Labour masters have instead decided to cream more money off us all by increasing our taxes!

If ever we needed a change of Government it is now."