Many small firms will struggle to pay the government's recent 2p rise in fuel duty, according to the Forum of Private Business (FPB).

The FPB has warned that at a time when many small firms are struggling financially the 2p rise means that the cost of fuel has increased 6% in less than 18 months.

"Cost increases of this scale are not sustainable at the best of times, let alone in a recession," said the FPB's chief executive, Phil Orford.

"There is no justifiable reason to raise duty on fuel further. The government should freeze additional fuel duty increases in 2010 to help protect small businesses and jobs."

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