Sponsored by
MP calls for scrap of fuel duty rise
Banff and Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford is calling for the scrapping of the August three-pence rise in fuel duty and has re-iterated the SNP’s demand for a fuel duty regulator after the latest figures released by the European Commission showed UK fuel tax was approaching 60 per cent of the cost of fuel.
Speaking from Westminster, Eilidh Whiteford MP said: “North-east firms and families are paying a higher and higher price for the UK Government’s fuel taxation policy. The soaring levels of fuel duty are simply highway robbery for regions like Banff and Buchan, where road journeys are a necessity and by absolutely no stretch a luxury.
“In July 2008, George Osborne launched plans for a ‘Fair Fuel Stabiliser’, describing it as a ‘common sense plan’: an idea that is extremely similar to the SNP’s Fuel Duty Regulator proposal, which we have long campaigned for.
“We are just shy of four years since the Chancellor set out his proposal but instead of following common sense they have plans for a further 3 pence rise when we already face the highest fuel taxes in Europe.
“Excuses that it would be too difficult to introduce a regulatory mechanism are wearing thin. There is a momentum building across Europe for action on fuel. Germany has now become the third European country after Austria and Denmark to sign up to price regulation.
“The SNP has led and continues to lead calls at Westminster for the 3p rise in duty to be scrapped. We will also be tabling amendments to the budget to bring in a fuel duty regulator.
“If Westminster will not act, the powers should be passed to the Scottish Parliament so that it can. If Scotland had control of fuel duty, the SNP government would introduce a fuel duty regulator to lower prices now.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Fraserburgh
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 7 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 41 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 4 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North
