MPs in Worcestershire say they still want January’s planned fuel duty rise axed - despite refusing to vote for a motion sending that message to the Government last night.

Conservative MPs in the county say they are still confident Chancellor George Osborne will scrap the controversial 3p-a-litre hike due in the New Year.

But last night they refused to vote in favour of a House of Commons opposition motion, saying it was an “opportunistic” stunt by Labour.

The motion eventually failed after Tory MPs sided with the Government.

Growing ranks of Conservatives believe Mr Osborne will use his Autumn Statement next month to signal a delay in the rise anyway.

The motion called for the increase to be held back until April, saying families and businesses are desperate for some good news.

A rival amendment was approved which does not rule a rise in or out but insists the Government is striving to help people suffering with the costs of living.

Unless Mr Osborne announces a change of mind the planned rise, which has been delayed once already, will automatically come into force.

Worcester MP Robin Walker: “What I do want to see is a delay on the fuel duty going up, but I couldn’t vote for the motion.

“If I voted for the opposition on this it would have create the false impression Labour is trying to stop the rise, when in fact many of us have been calling for that for a long time.

“I’ll be writing to the Chancellor to ask that it be delayed.”

He added that he had the “impression” the Government would scrap the rise anyway.

Mid-Worcestershire MP Peter Luff said: “No-one will be happier than me if the Government can delay the fuel duty rise.

“But I am confident if they can find the money to do so, they will.

“The amendment does not rule out a freeze and makes a lot more sense than the Labour motion.”

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin added: “We have already delayed or cancelled rises that Labour put in place so that fuel is 10p cheaper than it would have been otherwise, saving my constituents £159 on fuel.”

The average price of petrol in the UK stands at 142.4p a litre, according to the AA, with diesel 147.9p.

Although prices have dropped by around 1p on September, it remains only 4p off the record.

But fuel now accounts for 5p in every £1 of household spending - and prices in Worcestershire are typically 2p higher than the national average.