The delay in the rise is simply a difficult decision that an already embattled and increasingly unpopular government does not wish to make. I am sure that by the 2009 budget the two pence rise will be back on the table, along with yet another hike in vehicle excise duty. Of course, Mr Levitt, if Mr Darling has informed you otherwise I will stand corrected.

Apparently the decision not to implement the rise will "cost" the government £550 million a year. However, it is important to remember that the spiralling price of oil has already delivered the government a £15 billion tax windfall. (Source: Oil and Gas UK.)

Whilst we all realise that fuel tax and vehicle excise duty help to deliver better health care and education, the two pence rise is yet another bitter pill to swallow for High Peak residents, considering the local minor injuries unit closes at 8pm and the nearest major hospitals are the best part of 20 miles away.

France may have seen a recent spike in fuel costs, however over the last six months fuel in France has been at least 30 cents per litre less expensive than in the UK. I am very pleased for Mr Seppman and other businesses that they can claim back the VAT on the fuel they put in their tanks; unfortunately like so many other people in the High Peak I do not enjoy this benefit. According to this month's AA fuel price report the UK has the ninth highest unleaded price in Europe and the second highest diesel price.

The Transport Select Committee's Freight Transport Report published last week says: "It is patently unfair that UK hauliers continue to subsidise their continental competitors through high levels of taxation on fuel, eight years after the government announced proposals to address this."

When I read Mr Seppman's letter in the July 17 edition of the Buxton Advertiser I could sense the frustration in his words, hardly surprising when such a damning assessment of the situation is delivered by the TSC.

Although it has been widely touted that motoring is cheaper now than in the 1980s it is again important to remember that in the 1980s VAT was charged at 15 per cent, Buxton had a 24 hour casualty department at Buxton Hospital and an operating theatre at the Devonshire Royal Hospital; we even had a cinema. Comparing today with almost 30 years ago is foolhardy at best.

Mr Levitt, the time has come to stop living in the past; you have got to wake up and smell the refined fossil fuel – most of your constituents rely on it.

Seam Smith

Compton Road

Buxton