The government has announced a temporary cut in the price of duty on unleaded petrol to enable drivers to take advantage of a two pence per litre reduction on environmentally-friendly fuel.

Treasury minister Stephen Timms said the extra cut, running until June 14, is needed due to the current lack of availability of ultra low sulphur petrol. The measure will cost the Treasury £20 million.

Opposition parties have condemned the cut as a "pre-election stunt".