Latest Press Releases
| SNP DEMAND ACTION IN FUEL DEBATE |
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| Thursday, 17 November 2011 00:00 |
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A freeze in fuel duty is the minimum action the Treasury must take, Moray MP Angus Robertson says. The SNP has continually pressed for the introduction of a fair fuel duty regulator since 2005, and the party says the UK Government must deliver a permanent stabilisation measure to bring down costs for households and businesses. Local MP Mr Robertson says the issue is was the single biggest concern raised in recent election campaigns and continues to major worry for constituents across Moray. Angus Robertson MP said: “ Moray and the rest of Scotland is crying out for action to bring down fuel prices, and a freeze in fuel duty is the minimum action the Treasury must take. Record fuel prices are hindering recovery and we need a permanent stabilisation measure to bring prices under control. “ Fuel and energy prices have pushed up inflation causing a great deal of financial pain, especially in areas like Moray where there is a combination of low household incomes and high dependency on cars. “ In July 2008, the Tories launched plans for a ‘Fair Fuel Stabiliser’, describing it as a ‘common sense plan’. This is what the SNP had been calling for and, as well as being common sense, it is unanswerable and fair for Scotland, given that we pay among the highest fuel prices in Europe despite being a major oil producer. “ With record North Sea oil and gas revenues flowing to the Treasury this year, we need to see some of that money used to bring fuel prices down – and to keep them stable – through a fuel duty regulator. “The SNP have consistently called for the introduction of a fuel duty regulator, in contrast the only measure Labour introduced was the fuel price escalator that increased tax year on year and increased the misery for motorists. “ The Tories and Lib Dems promised action but haven’t delivered and Labour increased tax on fuel to record levels before the election. “ It is time Westminster delivered and have some of Scotland’s oil money back and reducing fuel prices. “ If Westminster will not act, the powers should be passed to the Scottish Parliament so that it can. If Scotland had control of fuel duty, the SNP government would introduce a fuel duty regulator to lower prices now.” |
