Fuel duty rise unacceptable

Sep 4 2009 Dumfries Standard Friday

Sir – The UK Government’s 2p rise in fuel duty will only serve to hinder economic recovery, negating any potential additional income to the Treasury.

It is vital this is reversed, especially given the fact that prices will rise again when VAT increases from 15 per cent to 17.5 per cent in December.

Pushing up fuel prices is absolutely the wrong thing to do for businesses and hard-pressed households when the economy is in the grip of recession.

Imposed on top of rising oil prices it is even less acceptable.

At present, taxes account for just over 70 per cent of every pound spent at the pumps and it is within the Treasury’s power to provide much-needed relief for rural communities who suffer as a result of these high fuel prices through a fuel duty derogation.

A fuel duty regulator would also be an important part of ensuring fuel prices are fair.

Such a damaging increase in fuel duty should be recognised for what it is; it is not a Green Tax but a Brown Tax.

Alex Orr

Bryson Road

Edinburgh