RURAL FUEL DEROGATION MUST COME BEFORE VAT RISE

RURAL FUEL DEROGATION MUST COME BEFORE VAT RISE
 
Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP Angus MacNeil has called on the Con/Dem Coalition government to ensure that the Rural Fuel Derogation pilot schemes talked about in the Coalition’s founding document, are in place before the VAT rise the coalition pushed through parliament this week comes into effect in January 2011.

Commenting Mr MacNeil said:

“This week the government increased VAT by 2½ percent, which will be levied from January. This will increase the price of fuel to around £1.40 in parts of my constituency.

"Pre-dating any talk of VAT rise, the government talked about a Rural Fuel Derogation pilot scheme. Now they must make good on that promise by ensuring the schemes are in place before the VAT rise kicks in.  It would only be fair, right and proper to do so. Tactics of delay and kicking the subject into the long grass would be unacceptable.

"In their time in power, Labour completely failed the Islands and the Highlands by flatly refusing to listen to reasoned arguments on this issue.  I raised this issue over many years but Labour were evidently not interested, I hope the Coalition do not make the same mistake. 

"Their words must be turned into action, they managed the increase in VAT very quickly and should now in the interest of fairness and their much heralded Respect Agenda, ensure that the Rural Fuel Derogation comes into being before the end of 2010.

"Na h-Eileanan an Iar was the first constituency to volunteer to become part of a pilot project and I would be happy to work with the Treasury to achieve this end.”