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Fuel prices amount to penalty fine for rural drivers - Lyon
March 19, 2010 4:02 PM
George Lyon, Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland, and Danny Alexander MP have called on the UK Government to resist putting fuel duty up in the coming budget and instead to work to reduce fuel duty for rural and remote areas.
The pair made the call today during a visit to Inverness to highlight the punitive price of fuel in the Highlands.
Commenting, Mr Lyon said:
"Fuel prices in rural areas of Scotland amount to a penalty fine for motorists who have no choice but to drive.
"The Government must understand that driving in rural areas is not a luxury. The lack of public transport alternatives make it a necessity.
"We keep on hearing from the Labour Government that it can't be done. Other European countries have reduced the cost of fuel for rural and remote areas, why is this not possible in Scotland?"
Danny Alexander, MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey, added:
"The Treasury now banks fifty-six pence out over every litre of fuel. In the coming budget, the Labour Government has the chance to ease the pain for rural drivers by resisting the temptation to put up fuel duty again.
"Even more importantly, the government should be agreeing to our demand for a duty cut for remote and rural areas.
"People in the Highlands pay higher prices, travel longer distances and have fewer public transport alternatives. A targeted duty cut - as happens in other countries - is the best way to deliver fairness."
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