Scotland’s finance secretary has backed The Courier’s campaign for a fuel duty regulator.
John Swinney, MSP for North Tayside, said the call for action was “vital” for protecting Scotland’s communities against rising oil prices.
He said he had seen the pressures put on families and businesses in his constituency by petrol prices of close to £1.40 a litre.
“As my constituents and their businesses are struggling to meet the cost of fuel increases the Treasury is making an estimated £2bn in additional revenue from higher oil prices.
“That £2bn is coming from the pockets of motorists across North Tayside, from our hauliers and from our local businesses. I want to see some of that money put toward bringing prices down and giving our motorists a break.
“We must keep up the pressure, and The Courier’s excellent campaign has a vital role to play in making sure our message is heard in Downing Street and the Tories and Lib Dems are forced to take action.”
Mr Swinney wrote to Chancellor George Osborne at the weekend calling for a fuel regulator a Conservative pledge prior to the General Election. The proposals would see a cut in duty levied by the government when oil prices rise, and the reverse when prices fall.
“Every week in the constituency I hear increasing complaints about fuel prices and the impact they are having on people’s lives as paying for petrol eats into weekly shopping budgets,” added Mr Swinney. “In rural areas like North Tayside there is often no alternative to getting around by car. Fuel is not a luxury, it is an essential for many of my constituents.
“Coupled with the UK Government’s recent VAT rise, these record fuel costs are putting a huge and unnecessary amount of pressure on our communities and on vital sectors of the Scottish economy, and risk choking the recovery we are building in Scotland.
“Ever increasing prices mean ever increasing costs for business that will ultimately hit all of our pockets.
“As MSP for North Tayside and as Finance Secretary I cannot ignore the problems fuel prices are causing for our local and national economy.”Discount shelvedMr Swinney was speaking after it emerged the introduction of a discount on fuel duty in remote rural areas of Scotland appears to have been shelved by the Treasury. It is now thought the UK Government will not apply to the European Commission to introduce the move until after Budget day on March 23.
“This is not just disappointing, it is a despicable betrayal by the Tory Lib Dem government at a time when the country is crying out for action to bring down fuel costs,” said the SNP’s Angus MacNeil. “In their coalition agreement the Tories and Lib Dems clearly promised a pilot scheme, and now they are reneging on that commitment. They have not even raised the proposal with the European Commission.
“People in the Highlands and Islands will be furious not least Danny Alexander’s constituents, who face some of the highest fuel prices in Europe.”