SNP CHAMPION FAIRER FUEL PRICES

SNP CHAMPION FAIRER FUEL PRICES

FUEL DUTY UP 45% UNDER LABOUR

The SNP today pledged to champion fairer fuel prices for Scotland’s voters
as figures showed fuel duty has increased by 45% under Labour.

SNP MPs will demand a fair fuel regulator to protect motorists from soaring
fuel prices and will press the UK Government to adopt lower fuel duty in
our islands and remote communities.

In 1997 fuel duty was 39p of every pound spent on fuel – now it is 57p,
a 45% increase. The SNP has repeatedly sought to introduce a fair fuel
regulator to ensure that as oil prices go up fuel duty comes down.

The call came as SNP Depute Leader Nicola Sturgeon, Justice Secretary Kenny
MacAskill and Edinburgh candidates George Kerevan and Calum Cashley met with
a local taxi driver in the capital.

*SNP Depute Leader Nicola Sturgeon said:*

“Soaring fuel costs hit families and business across Scotland hard. Not
only does it impact on road users in rural aready but it whas a knock-on
effect on everything from public transport to the goods we buy in shops.

“The failure of the London parties to act on fuel prices shows how little
they understand of the key issues across Scotland.

“In Scotland, the SNP is the clear alternative to the Westminster machine
and the only party with a real alternative that will prevent massive fuel
spikes.

“Cutting fuel duty when oil prices go up is essential for all. It is
outrageous that duty has been allowed to increase by 45% at the same time as
oil prices going up.

“Alastair Darling’s refusal to cut rates on rural fuel is the final slight
to Scotland’s hard pressed communities.”

Edinburgh East MSP Kenny MacAskill added:

“The London parties have repeatedly snubbed the SNP’s proposals for a fair
fuel regulator and Alistair Darling has refused to recognise the problems of
expensive fuel in our remote communities.

“Even here in central Edinburgh petrol is over £1.22 a litre.

“On polling day there is a real opportunity to send SNP MPs to Westminster
as your local champions, fighting for a fair deal on fuel and putting
Scotland’s fuel prices at the heart of a balanced parliament.”

The SNP manifesto pledges on fuel are:

• Our proposal would see increased revenues from higher oil prices and
petrol prices recycled to lower fuel duty. This would keep a limit on
soaring fuel prices while protecting anticipated revenues for the Treasury.

• Across Scotland, many hard pressed families are struggling to cope as
fuel prices continue to soar – in some rural areas they are now in excess of
£1.30 per litre. The recent 3p increase will be sorely felt by both hauliers
and motorists. The SNP’s campaign against these rises will continue.