Lib Dems call for expansion of fuel duty relief for rural motorists

LONDON: Fuel duty relief for rural motorists should be expanded to 20 new areas as part of a “real rescue plan” to support communities, according to Sir Ed Davey.The Liberal Democrats suggested that Devon, Cornwall, Cumbria, Shropshire, Yorkshire in England, along with rural parts of Scotland and Wales, could be included in the expanded rural fuel duty relief programme.

The scheme supports motorists by compensating fuel retailers in 21 rural areas, including the Isles of Scilly and the Northern Isles, with high road fuel prices.Retailers can apply for relief of 5p per litre of petrol or diesel, which is then passed on to motorists through price reductions at the pump.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed said: “People in rural areas have been clobbered by the cost-of-living crisis and the Conservatives have just not done enough to support them.“We need a real rescue plan to support rural communities struggling with outrageous pump prices.

“The Conservatives have let the cost-of-living crisis hit rural communities hard. They have ignored Liberal Democrat calls to expand rural fuel duty relief, left roads to crumble and cut public transport options, including rural bus routes.“Liberal Democrats are standing up for rural communities after years of Conservative chaos and neglect.”

The Lib Dems said its proposed expansion, which would be the subject of a consultation to determine the new areas, would be funded by an additional £7 million-a-year by the end of the next Parliament.The party has also backed calls for a Pumpwatch scheme to allow drivers to compare fuel prices in different areas.