UK scraps planned Sept 1 fuel duty rise - Treasury

LONDON, July 18 (Reuters) Britain will freeze fuel duties at their current level instead of implementing a planned rise on Sept. 1 as crude oil prices are again soaring.

Faced with potential motorist anger as petrol prices approach one pound per litre, the UK Treasury said on Tuesday in a statement to parliament that it would again freeze fuel duties, which haven't risen in four years.

Brent crude oil prices hit a record above a barrel this week as tensions have risen in the Middle East.

Rising energy costs are pushing up inflation. Official data showed earlier on Tuesday that British inflation hit 2.5 percent in June, the highest since September 2005 and well above the Bank of England's 2 percent target.

REUTERS VJ DB2125