31/08/2009

Raising fuel tax will hinder Borders economy warns MSP

MSP Christine Grahame has called on the UK Government to scrap next week’s planned 2p increase on fuel prices warning the hike will hinder economic recovery in the Scottish Borders.
Ms Grahame said:

"Pushing up fuel prices is absolutely the wrong thing to do in the grip of recession and this increase could actually hinder economic recovery in the Borders and elsewhere in Scotland.

"Just when the UK government should be stimulating the economy, the Treasury is intent on slapping another 2p on the price of petrol and diesel, hitting already hard-pressed households and businesses. The increase is especially damaging for the haulage industry and in rural communities like the Scottish Borders where the only feasible form of transport for ordinary people is the car.
"At present fuel duty accounts for about 71 pence of every pound the Borders motorist spends at the forecourt.

"Increases in fuel duty are not a green tax, they are a Brown one, and people across Scotland have had their fill of New Labour’s fuel duty increases. What Treasury Ministers in London forget is that for people in rural areas, a car is a necessity and not a luxury.”

SNP It’s time.....