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Roger Williams MP Launches Campaign For Rural Fuel Rebate
June 20, 2008 4:00 PM
Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, Roger Williams MP, has today called on the Government to obtain a derogation from the EU so that they can introduce a fuel rebate for those living in rural areas, as new Welsh Liberal Democrat research shows that parts of Wales are paying more for their petrol.
Roger Williams is spearheading a campaign for the Government to cut rural fuel duty in recognition of the fact that cars are an essential part of life in rural communities, due to their lack of public transport, and the greater distance needed to travel to obtain goods and services.
France, Portugal and Greece have obtained derogations from the EU so that they can apply a lower rate of fuel duty in rural and inaccessible areas. The Government has yet to apply for a similar derogation that would see some of the burden lifted on rural communities.
Figures calculated by the Welsh Liberal Democrats show that Welsh fuel prices are typically higher than in England. This is particularly true of rural areas where people in Brecon, Carmarthen and Bangor have to pay around 2p more for a litre of unleaded than in places such as Bristol, Shrewsbury and Birmingham. A similar picture emerges from looking at the price of diesel.
The Liberal Democrats have in the past two years proposed amendments to the Finance Bill to seek this derogation, but the Government has always rejected these moves. The Conservatives have abstained on these measures.
Roger Williams MP launches his Fuel Rebate Campaign
Commenting, Roger Williams said:
"In rural areas, cars are a necessity not a luxury because of the way people lead their lives. People in rural areas are being stung because they simply have to buy more petrol than people in cities.
"I am calling on the Government to apply for a European derogation similar to that which France, Portugal and Greece have already secured, so that they can cut fuel tax in rural areas.
"We know that rises in prices at the pump are driven by the global oil price, but why isn't the Government taking all the action available to them to ease the pressure on rural communities.
"I am launching this campaign to send a message to the Prime Minister that he has to take action to help people in rural areas who are struggling to make ends meet. Ultimately this is a test of whether the Government care about rural communities or not."
On new figures that show that in many parts of Wales petrol is more expensive, Mr Williams added:
"Not only do we have to pay more for fuel because we use more, we also pay a higher price at the pump because of the extra costs involved in distributing petrol to more remote areas.
"3p might not sound like a lot, but it works out at around an extra £30 a year for the average UK car, and that figure would of course be even higher in rural areas.
"These extra costs further demonstrate the need to take urgent action to reduce fuel costs for people living in rural Wales."
Notes to editors:
Roger Williams launched his campaign at 11am on Friday 20th June at Talgarth Livestock Market, Nr. Brecon
The attached picture shows Roger Williams MP at Talgarth Market with Cllr Clair Powell (Bronllys), Cllr Bill Powell (Talgarth) and local farmers.
Research calculated by the Welsh Liberal Democrats from average petrol prices listed at www.petrolprices.com
Average cost per litre (p)
Unleaded
Diesel
Aberystwyth
119
133.5
Bangor
119.5
133.1
Birmingham
117.7
131
Brecon
119.7
134.4
Bridgend
119.1
132.9
Brighton
118.9
131.6
Bristol
117.5
130.5
Caernarfon
119.4
133.1
Cardiff
118.1
131.2
Cardigan
118.9
131.5
Carmarthen
119.2
132.9
Dolgellau
119.2
134.2
Edinburgh
117.3
130.6
Glasgow
116.5
129.8
Holyhead
119.2
132.6
Inverness
119.4
132.6
Leeds
116.5
130.1
Liverpool
117.1
130.6
Llandrindod Wells
119.7
133.7
Llandudno
117.5
131.2
Llanelli
118.8
132.4
Manchester
117
130.6
Newcastle
117.5
130.9
Newtown
117.9
132.9
Shrewsbury
117.5
130.9
Southampton
118.1
130.6
St. Ives
118.9
131.4
Swansea
118.1
131.4
Welshpool
117.9
133.4
Wrexham
117.6
130.7
Ends/Diwedd
James West
Parliamentary Researcher to Roger Williams MP
Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Wales
Liberal Democrat Food and Rural Affairs Spokesperson
Tel: 020 7219 8145
Fax: 020 7219 1747
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