SNP urges UK government to act over rising fuel prices
Scottish energy minister says it is ‘unfair’ for motorists to take the brunt of ‘sudden and unexpected’ oil price increases
The SNP has called on the UK government to help drivers by acting over soaring fuel prices.
Motoring services firm the RAC revealed that September fuel prices averaged 130.66p a litre for petrol – a minor drop on August’s record high of 130.75p – while diesel reached a new peak of 134.41p per litre.
SNP minister for energy Paul Wheelhouse said introducing a fuel duty regulator would help to protect consumers. The regulator would divert additional VAT raised by the government to reduce the cost of fuel duty.
Speaking to The National, Wheelhouse said: “We have long argued that the UK government should establish a fuel duty regulator, because they have the ability to ease the burden of sudden, sharp changes in fuel prices on motorists and businesses. Taxes form two-thirds of the UK-wide petrol and diesel prices which customers pay at the pumps.
“Predictability of prices is key. It is unfair that motorists face a double whammy of automatic rises in additional VAT paid because of sudden and unexpected increases in oil prices feeding through to wholesale petrol and diesel prices. In those circumstances, a fuel duty regulator could lower duty to ensure the overall tax take per litre is the same.”
Howard Cox, founder of the Fair Fuel UK campaign, said: “The pump prices lottery game continues to go unmonitored. Hard-pressed motorists, hauliers and van drivers haven’t a clue when oil prices fluctuate what they will pay when filling up.
“The one certainty, though, is the fuel supply chain goes unchecked as they see their profits rocket, every day rubbing salt into the wounds of the highest-taxed drivers in the world.”
