BUDGET MUST BRING FUEL PRICE ACTION

BUDGET MUST BRING FUEL PRICE ACTION

FUEL DEAL MISSING FROM COALITION AGREEMENT

The SNP today called on the new UK Government to ensure a fair fuel
regulator and cuts in fuel duty for rural areas are included in the
upcoming budget and raised concerns that the vital issue of fuel prices
was missing from the coalition agreement between the Tories and Lib Dems.

The call comes as prices reach new highs and as research by the AA shows
prices have not fallen, despite a fall in oil prices.

Despite repeatedly failing to back SNP proposals at Westminster for a fair
fuel regulator and duty cuts both the Lib Dems and Tories claimed to
support such measures during the election.

SNP Transport spokesman Angus MacNeil MP said:

“The new coalition must live up to the word of both parties and take
immediate action to bring down fuel prices.

“A fair fuel regulator is the only way to ensure that Scotland’s essential
industries and our hard pressed families are not continually hit by rising
prices.

"I am deeply concerned that fair fuel prices are not a feature of the
coalition agreement - despite claims by both parties to support this
measure.

“Prices in Scotland are well above the £1.21 highlighted by the AA. In
Stornoway today unleaded fuel is £1.28 and diesel is over £1.30, in
Inverness – home to the Scottish Secretary it’s £1.25. This has a
crippling effect on family budgets and on all our industries.

"Labour repeatedly used Scotland's motorists as a cash cow. It is time
drivers were given a break. Action on fuel prices is a key test of the
new Government's intentions.”

SNP Highlands and Islands MSP Dave Thompson who has lodged a Parliamentary
motion challenging the new Scottish Secretary to deliver on his calls for
lower rural fuel prices said:

“For years Danny Alexander has promised anything to anyone and delivered
nothing. This is the real test for the Lib Dems and their deal with the
Tories.

“Scotland’s remote and rural communities need instant action to bring down
fuel costs.

“This new Government says it will deliver a budget in 50 days – that
budget must include a fuel duty cut for our remote communities and a fair
fuel deal for all of Scotland’s motorists.”