MACNEIL: TIME FOR UK GOVERNMENT TO U-TURN ON FUEL DUTY

Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP, Angus B MacNeil is calling on the UK Government to drop the planned 3p fuel duty hike in August.  This follows confirmation of the third budget u-turn in a week, with the ‘charity tax’ being abandoned shortly after the ‘pasty tax’ and caravans, the SNP has called for a further three-point-turn by the Chancellor on the planned August 3p fuel duty hike.

A total of thirty nine MPs from nine political parties and one independent, have already agreed to support a clause, drafted by the SNP and supported by Fairfuel UK, which will amend the Budget and cancel the autumn rise in fuel duty. The clause will be tabled at the earliest opportunity, when the Finance Bill has completed committee stage, expected in late June.

Commenting Angus B MacNeil said:

“With the UK Government in u-turn mode, the Chancellor must listen to the calls to abolish the planned 3p fuel duty increase which is planned for August.  Whilst many welcome the u-turn on pasties, caravans and charities, people are crying out for some help with fuel costs.

“Hundreds of thousands of people across the country have signed up to support the fairfuel campaign against further hikes.

“Even politicians are throwing aside party differences and uniting on this crucial issue. The list of cross-party MPs who support the SNP-led action to scrap the 3 pence rise in duty planned for August continues to grow. There are now thirty nine MPs signed up, from across the chamber and across the UK.

“High fuel prices are choking back economic growth – a report for fairfuelUK by the Centre for Economics and Business Research suggested a 2.5 pence reduction in fuel duty would create 175,000 jobs within a year.

“If the Treasury are prepared to u-turn on other ill-thought out policies then they should also do a swift rethink on the 3p rise in fuel duty.

“Over the next few weeks we will be working with Fairfuel UK to build even more support, inside and outside parliament, for the clause, and force the Treasury to rethink the planned autumn rise.

“The lack of action on fuel prices was one of the biggest issues missing in the Chancellor’s budget. High costs of fuel aren’t just hurting the pockets of hard-pressed householders – they are hammering businesses and hampering economic recovery.

“We already have the highest rates of taxes on petrol and diesel in Europe – it’s time to end this highway robbery and call a halt to further rises which will hamper economic recovery.”