UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham Faces Backlash Over Google Maps Fuel Price Feature

Andy Burnham faces criticism over a Google Maps feature showing live UK petrol and diesel prices.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is facing criticism after promoting a new Google Maps feature that shows live petrol and diesel prices, with opponents arguing that lower taxes would do more to reduce the cost of fuel for motorists.

Fuel Price Tool Draws Criticism

The feature is intended to help drivers compare live fuel prices and identify cheaper places to buy petrol and diesel according to Coin Bureau across the UK. Burnham defended the approach while acknowledging concerns over the cost of fuel.

Burnham said he “gets it” why people are worried about fuel prices and added that he “won’t accept that there’s nothing” he can do about the issue. His comments came as the government faces scrutiny over the financial burden placed on motorists at the pump.

Critics Point to Fuel Taxes

Critics of the proposal argue that the main issue is not a lack of information about where fuel is cheapest, but the level of taxation included in the final pump price. According to figures cited in the source, fuel duty and VAT account for roughly 43%-47% of UK pump prices.

That tax burden becomes particularly significant at current diesel prices. The figures cited show that around 86p of every £2 litre of diesel paid by motorists goes to the Treasury.

Critics therefore contend that helping drivers identify cheaper financial filling stations addresses only part of the problem. In their view, reducing fuel taxes would have a more direct effect on what motorists ultimately pay for petrol and diesel than providing information about price differences between retailers.

Debate Over the Government's Response

The dispute centers on whether greater price transparency or lower taxation would provide more meaningful relief for drivers. The Google Maps feature gives motorists another way to compare prices before filling up, while the criticism focuses markets on the portion of the pump price determined by government taxes.

Burnham has maintained that he can take action on fuel costs, saying he “won’t accept that there’s nothing” he can do. Critics, however, are pressing for measures that would directly reduce the tax component of fuel prices, which they say represents a substantial share of what motorists pay at the pump.

Writer: Victoria Hale
Technology & Blockchain Writer

Victoria Hale writes about blockchain technology, digital infrastructure, and the intersection of emerging technologies with finance. Her articles explore how new protocols and systems are shaping the evolving digital economy.

She prioritises clarity and accuracy when explaining technical developments to a general audience.