SNP Treasury spokesperson Stewart Hosie MP has hit out at the reneging
of a Tory and Lib Dem promise over soaring fuel prices, as the SNP
vowed to make the need for a Fuel Duty Regulator and bringing down the
cost of fuel a key Holyrood election issue.

Mr Hosie pointed out that cutting fuel by 10p per litre in Scotland
would only cost about half of the estimated £1 billion in extra
revenue the Treasury is set to rake in as a result of rising oil
prices.

Mr Hosie said:

“The country is crying-out for action to bring down fuel prices, and
the Holyrood election campaign is a vital opportunity for Scotland to
demand that the Scottish Parliament has the economic and financial
tools needed to act in the interests of our communities and the
travelling public.  Westminster – where the powers currently lie – has
failed to do anything, and the Tories and Lib Dems have reneged on
their pre-election promises.

“This is a huge issue on the doorstep and the forecourts – and the SNP
will make it a big issue in the election.  It is a key illustration of
why we need to build up Scotland’s Parliament, and equip it with the
full powers of financial responsibility.

“A Fuel Duty Regulator – which the Tories supported before the
election – would bring duty down when oil prices go up.  Cutting fuel
by 10p per litre in Scotland would only cost about half of the
estimated £1 billion in extra revenue the Treasury is set to rake in
as a result of rising oil prices.

“It’s a national scandal that, in Europe’s oil-richest country, Scots
are paying among the highest fuel prices.”