BUDGET MUST BRING FUEL PRICE ACTION SAYS WHITEFORD
Tuesday 18 May 2010
FUEL DEAL MISSING FROM COALITION AGREEMENT
Banff & Buchan MP Eilidh Whiteford has 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.
Speaking from Westminster, Eilidh Whiteford 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. 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.”
