Cycling UK's reaction to the Autumn Budget
“Credit where credit’s due; today the Chancellor has helped to recoup funding for active travel that was cut in March 2023 by committing an additional £100m to cycling and walking infrastructure. However, much greater investment is needed if the government is to achieve its ambitious health and economic growth missions. We know that for every £1 spent on cycling and walking schemes, £5.62 worth of wider benefits are achieved. This far surpasses the return on investment for road building.
“We were disappointed to see that fuel duty has been frozen yet again, which means the cost of driving is not increasing in relative terms. Research suggests that in the past, savings from the fuel duty freeze have not been passed down to consumers. Revenue raised from an increase in fuel duty could make public transport more affordable, and cycling and walking much safer through more investment in active travel.
“Increasing investment in walking and cycling stands to benefit us now and in the future. There’s still time to take bold action, and we will continue to impress upon the government the potential for cycling to transform our communities into greener, healthier and more prosperous places to live.”
Notes to editors
- Cycling UK, the UK’s cycling charity, aims to create happier, healthier and greener lives through cycling
- For more than 140 years, we’ve been making our streets safer, opening up new traffic free routes and inspiring more people to cycle more often. For more information visit: www.cyclinguk.org
Press contact information
For more information, please contact the national Cycling UK press office www.cyclinguk.org/contact/press-and-media.
If you would like to speak to a member of the press office during working hours (0900 - 1700) please call Joshua Gill on 07879 481 284 or email [email protected]. Out of hours, call 0148 3238 315.
