Fuel cost is "highway robbery" for Scotland

The SNP have today branded diesel costs in Scotland "highway robbery" as  figures showing that diesel in Scotland is
the most expensive in Europe.

66% of the cost in the UK is due to taxation – more than in any other EU nation.  Costs in the UK are the lowest in the EU before taxation is applied.

Figures from the UK Department of Energy show that Diesel in the UK is 10 pence higher than in any other EU nation with a litre costing an average of 106.9p.  Diesel in Inverness is an average of 109p

SNP Westminster Transport spokesperson and Western Isles MP – where diesel on the island of Barra costs £1.20 a litre, Angus MacNeil, said:

“The Treasury’s tax take on diesel is modern day highway robbery. It is a national scandal that, in an oil rich country like Scotland, we are paying more than 30p a litre more than motorists in Romania and Bulgaria.

“Key sectors like the haulage industry are reeling from forecourt costs, and Alistair Darling must use his Pre-Budget report next month to bring down the cost of fuel.

“A strong haulage industry is a vital part of our economy.  The fact is that soaring fuel prices are actually hindering economic recovery from recession.”