Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell has hailed the fuel duty freeze announced by the Chancellor Philip Hammond in today’s Autumn Statement.
Mr Mundell hugely welcomed the commitment by the Chancellor to helping motorists when they are filling up, stressing the importance of lower fuel costs in his rural constituency of Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale.
The freeze has now been in place for over six years since the Conservatives came to power in 2010, meaning motorists have paid hundreds of pounds less than they would have under a Labour Government in recent years.
Commenting David Mundell said: “This is absolutely fantastic news for motorists and businesses across my rural constituency and ensuring fuel costs are kept frozen has always been a high priority for me as a MP representing rural communities.
“In a rural area, fuel costs are always higher so I know that this further freeze announced by the Chancellor will be welcomed by people and businesses across Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale.
“It is a very welcome boost for their household budgets as well as giving a boost to the rural economy in terms of enabling businesses to fill up their tanks for less.
"This freeze in fuel duty makes it £10 cheaper than it would have been under a Labour Government for drivers every time they fill up their car across the constituency."
“I will always work tirelessly to ensure that fuel costs are kept frozen for my constituents and I applaud the Chancellor for taking this decision.”
Mr Mundell also welcomed a huge increase in capital funding for Scottish infrastructure and called on the Scottish Government to use the further funding in the right way to boost the Scottish economy.
"Significantly for Scotland is the £800 million of extra capital funding which is a result of the Chancellor's decision to invest in infrastructure but it is for the Scottish Government to step up now and invest in rural constituencies like mine.
"If it is used properly by the Scottish Government, this will make a real difference to productivity, jobs and growth in Scotland."