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Brown to meet oil industry chiefs Brown to meet oil industry chiefs
(about 2 hours later)
Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Chancellor Alistair Darling are set to meet oil industry leaders amid controversy over soaring fuel prices.Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Chancellor Alistair Darling are set to meet oil industry leaders amid controversy over soaring fuel prices.
It comes after lorry drivers staged protests over fuel prices in London and along the M4 in Wales on Tuesday.It comes after lorry drivers staged protests over fuel prices in London and along the M4 in Wales on Tuesday.
Labour backbenchers have been pressing for a rethink of plans to raise duty on fuel by 2p in the autumn and put up road tax for some cars next year.Labour backbenchers have been pressing for a rethink of plans to raise duty on fuel by 2p in the autumn and put up road tax for some cars next year.
Writing in the Guardian, Mr Brown says high oil prices need a global solution.Writing in the Guardian, Mr Brown says high oil prices need a global solution.
BBC political correspondent Iain Watson says the prime minister is keen to keep attention on the rising cost of oil, rather than focus on tax.BBC political correspondent Iain Watson says the prime minister is keen to keep attention on the rising cost of oil, rather than focus on tax.
Increase oil productionIncrease oil production
He says an increase in the supply of oil would lower the price of fuel and ease pressure on the government over the planned tax increases.He says an increase in the supply of oil would lower the price of fuel and ease pressure on the government over the planned tax increases.
Mr Brown and Mr Darling are meeting representatives of oil companies in north-east Scotland where they will ask industry leaders what help they would need from the government in order to increase production - such as investment in new infrastructure or oil exploration.Mr Brown and Mr Darling are meeting representatives of oil companies in north-east Scotland where they will ask industry leaders what help they would need from the government in order to increase production - such as investment in new infrastructure or oil exploration.
Our correspondent says both the prime minister and the chancellor have been irritated at public hints by Business Secretary John Hutton and Justice Secretary Jack Straw that the government could stage a U-turn over vehicle excise duty.Our correspondent says both the prime minister and the chancellor have been irritated at public hints by Business Secretary John Hutton and Justice Secretary Jack Straw that the government could stage a U-turn over vehicle excise duty.
Mr Hutton said on Tuesday that Mr Darling was "listening to what people are saying" on road tax.Mr Hutton said on Tuesday that Mr Darling was "listening to what people are saying" on road tax.
Mr Straw said any decisions made about increased road tax would be announced in the autumn.Mr Straw said any decisions made about increased road tax would be announced in the autumn.
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Footage of the fuel protestsFootage of the fuel protests
In his Guardian article, Mr Brown says the global economy is facing its third great oil "shock" of recent decades.In his Guardian article, Mr Brown says the global economy is facing its third great oil "shock" of recent decades.
This, he says, is a global problem, which the UK will urge to be put at the top of the agenda of the next meeting of the G8 group of industrialised countries.This, he says, is a global problem, which the UK will urge to be put at the top of the agenda of the next meeting of the G8 group of industrialised countries.
He says development of renewable energy sources must be accelerated and the efficiency of the oil market improved to ease the impact of growing demand.He says development of renewable energy sources must be accelerated and the efficiency of the oil market improved to ease the impact of growing demand.
On Tuesday the Treasury defended its plans to increase duty on more polluting cars registered since 2001 by as much as £200, saying this would increase the incentive to develop and purchase fuel-efficient cars.On Tuesday the Treasury defended its plans to increase duty on more polluting cars registered since 2001 by as much as £200, saying this would increase the incentive to develop and purchase fuel-efficient cars.
So far, 42 MPs have signed a Commons motion asking Mr Darling to reconsider the policy on the grounds that it is retrospective and "unfair" to people who have already bought their cars.So far, 42 MPs have signed a Commons motion asking Mr Darling to reconsider the policy on the grounds that it is retrospective and "unfair" to people who have already bought their cars.
Mr Darling is due to meet backbenchers next week to discuss their concerns.Mr Darling is due to meet backbenchers next week to discuss their concerns.
Downing Street says it is keeping an open mind on future tax increases.Downing Street says it is keeping an open mind on future tax increases.
Police said 100 lorries took part in a protest in London on Tuesday. Organisers said the figure was closer to 300.Police said 100 lorries took part in a protest in London on Tuesday. Organisers said the figure was closer to 300.
And in Wales, police said 100 lorries took part in a convoy protest along the M4 motorway. Other estimates put the figure at 170.And in Wales, police said 100 lorries took part in a convoy protest along the M4 motorway. Other estimates put the figure at 170.
The hauliers were demanding an "essential user" rebate of between 20 and 25p per litre on fuel for HGV drivers, without which, they say many will go out of business.The hauliers were demanding an "essential user" rebate of between 20 and 25p per litre on fuel for HGV drivers, without which, they say many will go out of business.