RACHEL Reeves has been warned a fuel duty hike in the Budget would come at the worst possible time for drivers.

With clocks going back on October 27, a deadly combo of freezing temperatures and early darkness will make engines work harder and guzzle more fuel.

Rachel Reeves will deliver her Budget on October 30

This ramps up increased driving costs in winter by a shocking 20 to 48 per cent as the impacts of colder conditions combines with potential fuel duty increases, according to the AA.

A recent survey of their members reveals 35 percent of petrol and diesel drivers expect to lose at least five miles per gallon this winter, while 10 percent fear they’ll lose as much as 10 miles.

The gloomy picture comes amid fears the Chancellor may increase fuel duty by as much as 7p next week to help fill a £40bn black hole in the countrys finances.

AA President Edmund King warned: “Hiking fuel duty at the onset of winter is the worst possible time to do it.

It is when cold engines and increased use of heaters, wipers and lights send fuel consumption and costs shooting up.

Tory MP Saqib Bhatti also said: “Rachel Reeves has less than two weeks to give certainty to drivers and small businesses up and down the country and end Labour’s war on motorists.”

The Sun has backed drivers as part of the Keep It Down campaign with FairFuelUK, with rates of fuel duty not rising since the start of 2011.

A group of Tory MPs, led by Mr Bhatti and Howard Cox from FairFuelUK, will deliver a petition bearing 130,000 signatures to Downing Street tomorrow, calling for the freeze to continue.

A Treasury spokesperson said: “We do not comment on speculation around tax changes outside of fiscal events.”