John Healey is accused of a 'shameless tax raid' over plans for a 'green tax' on imported fuel in Wednesday's Budget

Motorists have already paid an extra £10billion at the pumps since the Iran war sent prices soaring, and diesel hit £2 a litre for the first time this month. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh is understood to have pushed Healey to adopt the levy. Paymaster general James Murray told Parliament on Friday that ministers were 'considering the feasibility and impacts'. Healey will deliver the Budget on Wednesday 28 October.

The carbon border adjustment mechanism would hit imported petrol and diesel with British refineries' net-zero charges.

TaxPayers' Alliance chief John O'Connell said the plan is 'little more than a tariff'.

O'Connell urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to rule out 'punitive green taxes' in the Budget.