Labour MPs challenged to support fuel price cut

Scottish Labour MPs have today been challenged to back proposals for the introduction of a Fuel Duty Regulator which would provide relief for motorists and industry from soaring fuel prices.

The SNP proposal, which will go before parliament on Wednesday, has received cross-industry backing from the Road Haulage Association (RHA), National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS), Scottish Taxi Federation (STF), Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF).

Mr Hosie said:

"With Scottish families and businesses facing the highest fuel prices in the world, woe betide any Scottish MP who votes against our proposal for a fuel price regulator.

"In the last year the cost of filling up the family car has gone up by as much as £30 a month, while some estimates show hauliers are paying as much as £37,000 a year to tank up a truck.

"With the price of oil soaring, the case for introducing a fuel duty regulator is overwhelming, and Labour must see sense.

"I am delighted with the cross-industry backing the regulator has secured outside parliament, and now we must secure cross-party support in the lobbies so we can protect our economy and public services by introducing some stability at the pumps.

"It is ridiculous that in an oil rich country like Scotland key sectors are struggling to fill their tanks.

"Whilst the Treasury rakes in an onshore windfall from VAT at the pump, and an additional £6 billion in revenue from rising oil prices, Scotland’s hard-pressed motorists and key industries face real pain.

"The Treasury must now see sense and ensure some of this windfall is used for a fuel duty regulator to moderate prices at the pump."