Stirling Politicians Call for 10p Fuel Duty Relief
Hard-hit households have been left reeling, as petrol and diesel prices have climbed to record highs in recent days. The average cost of filling a 55-litre tank in the UK reached £100.27 for petrol and £103.43 for diesel, as budgets buckle beneath soaring food and energy prices, rising inflation and economic woe.
The news comes as UK economic growth is set to be the worst in the G20 group of developed economies apart from Russia, and as Tory Prime Minister Boris Johnson battles to save his political career following a mass rebellion of his backbench MPs.
Stirling MP Alyn Smith and MSP Evelyn Tweed have backed calls from industry groups to implement urgent measures aimed at heading off economic catastrophe, including a 10p per litre fuel duty cut, a temporary reduction on the VAT applied to fuel, and a commitment to future reform of fuel prices through a fuel price stabiliser mechanism.
Stirling SNP MSP Evelyn Tweed said:
‘People are hurting across Stirling, with some worried how they can afford to drive to work whilst also putting food on the table. We cannot afford further delay from the UK Government on this. Fuel prices are skyrocketing, and join the long list of rising taxes, increasing fuel and food bills and soaring inflation. Policy levers to begin addressing these concerns are at the fingertips of UK Tory Government ministers. They need to put an end to the melodrama by dumping Boris Johnson, and start getting on with the day job of really helping people. Stirling expects no less.’
Alyn Smith MP said:
‘Businesses and households are reeling in my constituency – it’s one thing after another in recent months. I understand some elements are global and beyond the remit of the UK Government, but more focus and action must be swiftly kicked into high gear to contain this cost of living crisis. There’s flashing red lights on our economic dashboard and people are at breaking point. Fuel costs add to the growing woes facing our Stirling constituents – I urge the UK Chancellor to stop the dithering, listen to industry and do his job.’
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