Liberal Democrats believe that no one should be penalised by fuel prices just because they live in a rural community. More often than not there are simply no public transport alternatives to driving - it is a necessity, not a luxury.

In April 2009, the Scottish Parliament voted on a Liberal Democrat motion calling on the Scottish and UK Governments to work together to secure a fuel duty derogation for Scotland. The SNP and Labour Governments of the day refused to work together for the good of Scotland.

Now with Liberal Democrats in Government there is a chance to deliver fairer fuel prices for rural areas.

George Lyon MEP has been campaigning on this issue since being elected to the European Parliament last year and has already contacted 40,000 homes in areas across Scotland that suffer from high fuel prices.

He wants Scotland to benefit from the same fuel duty reduction that is currently used in other EU member states like France, Portugal and Greece.

Commenting, George Lyon MEP said:

"People in remote and rural areas of Scotland can pay as much as much as 15p more per litre than the national average. They are not getting a fair deal.

"Successive Labour and Conservative Governments have blocked Liberal Democrat attempts to secure a fuel duty reduction in areas where driving is a necessity, not a luxury.

"Now with Liberal Democrats in Government we have a chance to deliver on what other parties have refused to even consider.

"I will work with Scottish Secretary Michael Moore MP to make sure pilot schemes are introduced in Scotland so we can begin to lift the serious financial burden of sky-high fuel prices."

If you support moves by Liberal Democrats in Government to work towards fuel duty reduction in rural areas then please sign our petition today.

Add your voice to calls for a rural fuel duty cut here