The French government has announced it is suspending a planned increase in fuel tax for six months in response to nationwide protests against the policy.

Prime minister Édouard Philippe confirmed the U-turn at Tuesday lunchtime after an escalation in the so-called ‘gilets jaunes‘ demonstrations over the weekend.

“Setting the course and holding it is a necessity to govern France. But no tax deserves to jeopardize the unity of the nation,” Mr Philippe said in a reconciliatory televised address.

The “yellow vest” protesters, named after the fluorescent safety clothing that all French motorists are obliged to keep in their cars, have been marching since mid-November against President Emmanuel Macron’s proposals to increase the price of diesel.

Mr Philippe said the measure, which was to come into effect on 1 January, would now be delayed for six months – meaning it would land the summer. He additionally pledged that the price of electricity would not increase for the same period.

But he stopped short of scrapping the tax altogether, warning: "The French do not want any increase in taxes or new taxes. If taxes go down, spending will have to go down."

The government says the new policy is necessary to meet France’s international environmental obligations, but many of the protesters say they resent the increased cost of living the charges would bring.

No tax deserves to jeopardize the unity of the nation, French prime minister Edouard Philippe

In recent weeks the demonstrations have become about more than the tax rise, and morphed into general concerns about the cost of living. Slogans brandished by marchers in Paris this weekend castigated the centrist pro-business government, which is allied with president Emmanuel Macron, of being out of touch and in the pocked of the rich.

The prime minister said on Tuesday his government was facing the “wrath of France that works hard, struggling to make both ends meet”.

More than 130 people were injured and over 400 arrested this weekend as protests turned violent in Paris, with looting on the famous Champs Élysées and vandalism of the Arc de Triomphe.

In his address to the nation, the prime minister criticised the actions of the protesters.

Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Show all 29 1 /29 Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Water cannons are turned on the protesters Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Riot police detain protesters EPA Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A car is set alight in the protests AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures The Arc de Triomphe is graffitied with the slogan: 'he yellow vests will triumph' Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters barricade themselves on the Champs Elysees as police line the streets Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester fires at police with a slingshot AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester holds up a sign that reads 'your Europe ruins us' Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester gestures amidst burning cars EPA Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters walk amidst tear gas near the Arc de Triomphe Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester runs amidst tear gas Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters on the Champs Elysees amidst tear gas AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters in yellow vests gather outside the town hall in Bordeaux EPA Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters gather on the Champs Elysees after the police deploy tear gas AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters stand by the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester waves a French flag Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Riot police take formation AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A general view of the Champs Elysees in Paris today as protesters clash with police Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester wears a jacket reading 'Macron, thief, lier, crook, go away, the people banish you' AP Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters gather on the Champs Elysees AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters hold a French flag by a burning barricade AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters gather by a fire AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Water cannons are turned on the protesters Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester wears an adapted yellow vest reading 'Macron's cemetery: here lies your buying power' AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters gather by a burning car AFP/Getty Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Riot police advance through tear gas followed closely by their water cannon EPA Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Tear gas is deployed to deter the protesters Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester waves a French flag amidst tear gas AP Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures Protesters walk amidst tear gas by the Arc de Triomphe Reuters Clashes at the Paris fuel protests: in pictures A protester holds a sign asking for the reintroduction of ISF (an old French tax on wealth) AFP/Getty

"All French have the right to demonstrate, recognizes the prime minister. But all French people also have the right to security. The government does not accept violence," he said.

He added: "The perpetrators of these acts are wanted and will be punished. If there is another day of mobilisation on Saturday, it must be declared and proceed calmly."