By Richard Jones
Motorists in Wales could soon be eligible for discounted fuel at the pumps.
A rebate scheme that applies to the Scottish islands and the Isles of Scilly could be extended to remote and rural parts of the UK mainland.
Petrol pumps and other fuel retailers in 35 remote areas in Britain – including some in Powys, Gwynedd, Anglesey and Monmouthshire - have been asked to let the Government know how much they charge for petrol and diesel.
The UK government scheme, introduced to islanders off the coast of Scotland and in the Isles of Scilly in March 2012, gives motorists a maximum 5p per litre reduction in duty. The European Commission would have to approve any change to the scheme.
Motorists in Wales could soon be eligible for discounted fuel at the pumps.
A rebate scheme that applies to the Scottish islands and the Isles of Scilly could be extended to remote and rural parts of the UK mainland.
Petrol pumps and other fuel retailers in 35 remote areas in Britain – including some in Powys, Gwynedd, Anglesey and Monmouthshire - have been asked to let the Government know how much they charge for petrol and diesel.
The UK government scheme, introduced to islanders off the coast of Scotland and in the Isles of Scilly in March 2012, gives motorists a maximum 5p per litre reduction in duty. The European Commission would have to approve any change to the scheme.
Treasury minister Danny Alexander says fuel costs are a “particular issue” in remote areas. He said: “I know that there are other remote rural areas of the UK with similarly high fuel costs.
“So we are today starting to gather further evidence that will form part of an application to the commission to extend the island fuel duty discount scheme to very remote rural areas.
“We will need to prove that there are areas which are similar to the islands in terms of pump prices and distribution costs, so I would urge local areas that may qualify to provide the information we need to make the case as robust as possible.”
Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies has welcomed news that the scheme could be extended to part of Wales and other remote areas in Britain.
He said: “The coalition government has made big cuts to planned fuel price increases but it is still too high. The cost of living must be a top priority and in rural Mid Wales cutting fuel prices is a key policy. We need discounted fuel at the pumps in Powys to become a reality.”
Campaign group FairFuelUK said that even if the consultation is successful it would only help a small number of people and businesses and called for a fuel duty cut across the whole country.
Quentin Willson, FairFuelUK spokesman said: “I welcome the Treasury’s acknowledgement that the UK needs a duty cut, but we need it across the country, not just for remote communities. Everybody is hurting not just the few.”
“So we are today starting to gather further evidence that will form part of an application to the commission to extend the island fuel duty discount scheme to very remote rural areas.
“We will need to prove that there are areas which are similar to the islands in terms of pump prices and distribution costs, so I would urge local areas that may qualify to provide the information we need to make the case as robust as possible.”
Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies has welcomed news that the scheme could be extended to part of Wales and other remote areas in Britain.
He said: “The coalition government has made big cuts to planned fuel price increases but it is still too high. The cost of living must be a top priority and in rural Mid Wales cutting fuel prices is a key policy. We need discounted fuel at the pumps in Powys to become a reality.”
Campaign group FairFuelUK said that even if the consultation is successful it would only help a small number of people and businesses and called for a fuel duty cut across the whole country.
Quentin Willson, FairFuelUK spokesman said: “I welcome the Treasury’s acknowledgement that the UK needs a duty cut, but we need it across the country, not just for remote communities. Everybody is hurting not just the few.”
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