Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell, who has long campaigned for a fuel duty discount for people living in rural areas like Dumfries and Galloway has welcomed the news that the government is to consider extending an existing scheme which currently applies to the Scottish islands and has knocked 5 pence of the price of a litre of petrol.
The scheme, which currently applies to the Scottish islands and the Isles of Scilly, was introduced last year, and has made a real difference to motorists and businesses in those communities The UK government is now looking at petrol and diesel prices in 35 areas across the UK, and fuel retailers are being asked to let the government know how much they charge for petrol and diesel as the government prepares to seek permission from the European Commission to extend the island fuel rebate scheme. Fuel prices have been sought from almost 1,500 retailers ahead of making an application to the EC in the autumn for an extension to the scheme.
Mr Mundell believes that in a large rural area like Dumfries and Galloway, which has some of the highest petrol prices in the Untied Kingdom that this additional discount would go along way to combating the inflated prices on local forecourts and boost the local economy.
Local MP David Mundell said the scheme aimed to keep fuel prices down for businesses and motorists.
He said: "In my constituency having a car is a necessity not a luxury. Dumfries has the highest fuel prices in the country, and I have time and again lobbied for measures that will bring down the cost of fuel for hardworking people families and the small businesses which are the backbone of our local economy. I am greatly encouraged that we may finally be making some real progress in the campaign to cut fuel costs for businesses and motorists in rural areas and I hope the European Commission will listen to the arguments that are being made.
“It is an issue of basic fairness, and as someone who represents one of the largest rural constituencies in the UK I simply do not believe that people should have to pay a fuel penalty for living in a rural area. The Government has made a good start in keeping costs down by scrapping Labour’s plans to increase fuel duty, and the roll out of this scheme will help hardworking families across my constituency.
“This is why I would urge local fuel retailers to provide the information we need to make the case as robust as possible, and help keep the cost of fuel down.