John Thurso launches fairer fuel tax scheme petition

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 12th Sep 2008

Local MP John Thurso has introduced a parliamentary petition to support his fair fuel tax scheme. Supported by former Scottish minister George Lyon they launched the petition at the Bridge End filling station in Thurso.

John Thurso said: "There is a clear case for a fuel duty rebate in remote rural areas to help lower the premium paid in the far north. Here, where there are few public transport alternatives, the car is a necessity not a luxury. It is clearly unfair that local people pay an extra burden when they cannot change to other modes of transport available to urban dwellers."

George Lyon strongly supported the scheme (variations of which are legislated for at a European level) pointing to its success in other European countries such as France and Portugal.

George said "The European Union has recognized that tax on fuel in remote and rural areas can have an impact far beyond that on urban areas. It has legislated for this and other European countries have shown that variable tax rates on fuel can help relieve this unfair burden on their citizens. It seems only logical that the UK Government take similar steps to relieve the triple whammy of higher tax, longer distances and a lack of public transport alternative."

The scheme allows for variable tax rates at filling stations in remote and rural areas and addresses the key issues of any such plan namely the definition of such areas and the means of administering this variable tax. John submitted the scheme to the Chancellor following exchanges with him at a hearing of the Treasury Committee. He currently has a petition in filling stations throughout Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross in support of the scheme and is hoping to get as many signatures as possible to show the Treasury the depth of local support.

There is also an online petition available at http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/unfairfueltax