fuel prices

SNP MP for Na h-Elieanan Iar and Transport spokesperson, Angus MacNeil, has hit out at the UK Government after it emerged Treasury tax hikes would push the costs of fuel up across 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.

SNP Westminster Transport spokesperson Angus MacNeil MP has warned the 1st September 2p increase in fuel duty could hinder economic recovery, and repeated calls for the increase to be scrapped.

SNP Westminster Transport spokesperson Angus MacNeil MP has called on the UK Government to scrap next week’s planned 2p increase on fuel prices - warning the hike could hinder economic recovery.

SNP Westminster Transport spokesperson, Angus MacNeil MP, has accused the Chancellor of ‘highway robbery’ after new figures revealed tax on petrol and diesel in the UK is officially the highest in Europe.

SNP Treasury spokesperson Stewart Hosie MP has called on Labour, Lib/Dem and Tory MPs to get behind an amendment to the Budget Finance Bill for the introduction of a fuel duty regulator to protect jobs in the transport industry and help motorists and businesses.

As the Office for National Statistics reveal that 15,255 HGV drivers claimed jobseekers allowance in March 2009, up from 3,280 the previous year, the SNP have tabled parliamentary proposals as an amendment to the Budget Finance Bill for the introduction of a fuel duty regulator to protect jobs in the transport industry and help motorists and businesses.

Budget confirmation that fuel duty is to rise by 2p per litre from September has been condemned with SNP Westminster Transport spokesperson, Angus MacNeil MP, warning the move will hinder economic recovery.

The SNP has appealed for the Treasury to ditch the April near-2p increase in fuel duty arguing that the twice delayed hike may hinder economic recovery.

SNP Energy spokesman, Mike Weir MP, has welcomed OFGEM’s recommendation that energy suppliers must be more transparent about direct debit payments. The recommendation is contained within a review of direct debit arrangements of the six major energy suppliers, following complaints by customers late last year about significant increases in amounts they were being asked to pay.