Jo said: "I welcome the Chancellor's announcement in today's statement that fares will be capped at inflation plus 1%, rather than inflation plus 3% from 1 January 2012 - the first time this has been the case since 2006.  This is good news for Southeastern commuters, who have faced disproportionately high increases for six years, but I will continue to press the franchise to deliver greater value for money for rail users.

"I was equally delighted by the Government's plans to help struggling motorists by scrapping a planned 3p fuel duty rise in January and reducing a rise from 5p to 3p in August.  I know that this will be extremely welcome in Orpington where soaring fuel prices are having a punishing effect on families and businesses.  Together with cancelling the annual fuel tax escalator and cutting fuel duty by 1p in the 2011 budget, the Government's action means fuel prices are 10p a litre lower than they would have been under Labour."