McMillan Calls For Fuel Duty Regulator to Stop Price Spikes

Stuart McMillan MSP SNP has today (Thursday) has criticised the Chancellor’s failure to act on fuel prices at the pump as he used the Budget to confirm that fuel duty will increase in line with inflation.

Mr McMillan has repeatedly called for fairer fuel prices and the need for a fuel regulator which would prevent high prices at the pump and stop the government receiving a windfall from higher prices.

Mr McMillan said;

"People in Inverclyde and right across Scotland are crying out for action to bring down fuel prices, but the Chancellor has ignored calls to reduce fuel duty and forgotten about his pre-election pledge to establish a regulator.

"Regularly, the price of petrol and diesel is more expensive in Inverclyde as compared to other towns nearby and it is justified by claims of local competition.

"The rising fuel prices are threatening to exacerbate an already challenging economic situation for households and businesses in Inverclyde and West Scotland.

"Therefore, if Westminster will not act, the powers should be passed to the Scottish Parliament so that it can.　 If Scotland had control of fuel duty, the SNP Government would introduce a fuel duty regulator to lower prices now."

McMillan Condemns Fuel Duty Hike

Stuart McMillan MSP (SNP, West of Scotland) has condemned the 2p per litre rise in fuel duty that was confirmed in today's (Wednesday’s) Budget.

The rise will come into effect in September and Mr. McMillan fears the move will hinder economic recovery.

Mr. McMillan said:

"Once again we see the UK Government failing the people of Inverclyde.

"Pushing up fuel prices is absolutely the wrong thing to do in the grip of recession. This increase will actually hinder economic recovery at a time when the Scottish Government is doing its utmost to try and stimulate Scotland's economy.

"This increase will hit already hard-pressed households and businesses in Inverclyde – in particular the haulage industry.

"Increases in fuel duty are not a green tax, they are a Brown one, and the people of Inverclyde have had their fill of Labour’s fuel duty increases.

"I am pleased my SNP colleagues at Westminster will be revisiting the proposals for a fuel duty regulator – a workable proposal to stabilise fuel prices which attracted much support from the haulage industry".