Whiteford In Push For Fair Fuel

Banff & Buchan MP Dr Eilidh Whiteford took part in a cross-party ‘push’ for fairer fuel prices today.

The SNP MP was part of a cross-party group of MPs as they symbolically push a car down Whitehall to Downing Street to show their support for the millions of UK motorists and businesses struggling with high petrol and diesel prices.

The event was arranged with the support of the RAC, Freight Transport Association and the Road Haulage Association.

Speaking from Westminster, Eilidh Whiteford said:

“Despite the 1p cut in fuel duty at the 2011 budget, the price of petrol and diesel at the pumps is still so high that it is causing enormous hardship to millions of families across the country.

“Foreign road freight companies continue to expand their operations in the UK at the expense of British firms, as European rates of fuel duty up to 24p per litre less than in the UK.

“The truth is, high fuel taxes are not working. Figures published by the AA show that the Treasury collected £637 million LESS in fuel taxes than in the same period 3 years ago, despite record levels of fuel tax.

“Today, as a symbol of the hardship caused by these high petrol and diesel taxes, a cross-party group of MPs and activists pushed a car down Whitehall as part of our handing a letter to the Prime Minister.

“This letter asked the Prime Minister to delay or abandon the inflationary rise in fuel duty next year, which will add as much as 4 pence per litre in January 2012. Cutting or freezing fuel duty might actually mean a higher revenue for the Treasury, as more people can afford to fill their tanks. This in turn would help the Government to tackle the deficit faster.

“The letter also asked the Prime Minister to investigate why petrol prices do not fall, when the international Oil price falls.

“A cut or freeze in fuel duty would not only put fuel in the tank of the economy, but it is vital to areas like North-east Scotland where, in many of our communities, a car is a necessity and not a luxury.”