Tag Archive for Fuel Duty Regulator

IT’S OFFICIAL: UK FUEL IS HIGHEST TAXED IN THE EU.

January 31, 2013 Stewart Hosie MP No comments

Stewart Hosie MPThe European Commission’s latest bulletin on fuel prices across the EU shows that the percentage taken in tax in the UK is the highest across the EU although the UK has the lowest pre-tax prices for both petrol and diesel across all the EU member states.

 

Dundee East MP, Stewart Hosie, SNP Treasury spokesperson, said: “These new figures from the European Commission show that Westminster’s fuel taxes are too high.

 

“The UK now has the highest-level of fuel duty in the EU. This is causing problems for motorists and hauliers in Scotland and  hindering recovery.

 

“We need a permanent stabilisation measure to bring prices under control.

 

“Drivers and hauliers across Scotland have been enduring the high level of  taxes imposed by Westminster for far too long and rising costs have hammered householders and small businesses, especially in rural areas.

 

“The SNP have consistently called for the introduction of a fuel duty regulator, which is a simple, effective way to ensure prices remain stable and give confidence to those whose livelihoods depend on fuel costs.

“The fact that a country as oil-rich as Scotland suffers from some of the highest fuel taxes in the EU says it all about Westminster’s attitude to this crucial issue.

 

“If Westminster will not act, the powers should be passed to the Scottish Parliament so that it can.  If Scotland had control of fuel duty, the SNP government would introduce a fuel duty regulator to lower prices now.”

 

SNP Lead Cross-Party Campaign To Scrap August 3p Fuel Hike

May 28, 2012 Stewart Hosie MP No comments

The SNP are working with Fairfuel UK to lead a cross-party campaign calling on the UK Government to scrap the 3 pence rise in fuel duty planned for August.

 

A total of twenty eight MPs from nine political parties and one independent, have already agreed to support a proposed clause, drafted by the SNP, which will amend the Budget and cancel the autumn rise in fuel duty. The clause will be tabled at the earliest opportunity, when the Finance Bill has completed committee stage, expected in late June.

 

The SNP’s Treasury Spokesperson Stewart Hosie MP, who is leading the campaign in parliament, said:

 

“The level of cross-party support for this clause is astonishing – and reflects the mood across the country that fuel prices must be brought under control.

 

“The momentum for action is growing with 28 MPs, from across nine parties, and one independent, already signed up. This is an almost unprecedented level of cross party unity on this crucial issue.

 

“Over the next few weeks we will be working with Fairfuel UK to build even more support, inside and outside parliament, for the clause, and force the Treasury to rethink the planned autumn rise.

 

“The lack of action on fuel prices was one of the biggest issues missing in the Chancellor’s budget. High costs of fuel aren’t just hurting the pockets of hard-pressed householders across the UK– they are hammering businesses and hampering economic recovery.
“In the long term a fuel duty regulator would help protect from volatile fuel prices – but in the short term we can take immediate action by scrapping the further 3 pence rise.

 

“We already have the highest rates of taxes on petrol and diesel in Europe – it’s time to end this highway robbery and call a halt to further rises which will hamper economic recovery.”

 

Quentin Willson, National Spokesperson for FairFuelUK said:

 

“Now’s the time to show that Parliament really can join together and stand up for the greater good. The cost of fuel is one of this country’s most pressing social issues. We’re calling on all MPs to show the hard-working people and businesses of Britain that they understand and care about this vital issue.”

 

Peter Carroll, National Organiser of FairFuel UK, added:

 

“The recent news that the UK economy contracted more sharply than originally estimated makes the need for measures to stimulate growth even more urgent.  Adding 3p per litre when the economy is on its knees, families are struggling to survive week by week and UK businesses are struggling borders on economic madness.

 

“Poll after poll shows that Fuel Duty is the number 1 priority for voters.  We have shared research with the Government that clearly shows they can cut Fuel Duty and not harm Treasury revenues.  A cut of just 2.5p per litre would boost growth by a much needed 0.33%, create 175,000 jobs and crucially not harm Treasury revenues – the tax take on the stimulated economic growth compensates for the loss of Fuel Duty.”

SNP Call For Action on Fair Fuel

April 9, 2012 Council Group, Joe FitzPatrick MSP, Stewart Hosie MP No comments

Dundee City Council Leader Ken Guild and many SNP Councillors and Candidates for the Council Elections were joined by MP Stewart Hosie and MSP Joe FitzPatrick yesterday [Saturday 7th April] in the city centre collecting signatures from the public supporting action on ‘fair fuel’.   

Dundee City West MSP Joe FitzPatrick said: “This is a key issue for the SNP and clearly we have the support of the public. Today we collected hundreds of signatures and were overwhelmed with the public response. Rising fuel prices affects everyone and puts up the cost of living across society.

“The public is crying out for action and the Treasury must listen. There is no excuse for raking in this vast amount of additional duty without making any attempt to introduce a fairer and more stable system of duty regulation to prevent price spikes at the pumps for the motorist, the haulage industry and households. ”  

Dundee East and SNP Treasury spokesman Stewart Hosie said: “We have been calling for a fuel duty regulator for years so that we can stabilise the prices at the pumps and regulate the amount of tax which the Treasury rakes in.

“Petrol prices at the pumps are now over 140p per litre with diesel over 146p. It is a scandal that in oil-rich Scotland we are paying some of the highest fuel prices in Europe and most of the price is comprised of duty paid to the UK Treasury.

“It is nothing short of highway robbery. Both the Tories and Lib Dems promised action before the election and have failed to deliver.

“If Westminster will not act, the powers must be transferred to Scotland so that we can take action. In the meantime we will introduce an Amendment to the UK Budget Bill calling for the Chancellor to make good his promises and bring in a fuel duty regulator.”

Labour and Lib Dem MPs Attacked over Commons Fuel Vote

February 10, 2011 Stewart Hosie MP No comments

THE SNP has hit out at Labour MPs for failing to support a Westminster motion that they claim would have helped to bring down soaring fuel prices.

The SNP and Plaid Cymru had dedicated their annual Opposition Day debate to demand the Conservative-led government fulfil its pre-election pledge to establish the fuel duty regulator.

The debate was the only opportunity for MPs to discuss fuel prices ahead of the Budget next month and the planned fuel duty increase in April. The motion had the support of motoring and industry organisations such as the Road Haulage Association, the Freight Transport Association, the RAC and the Fair Fuel UK campaign.

A handful of Scottish Labour MPs supported it but 30 abstained.

SNP Treasury spokesperson Stewart Hosie condemned Scottish Lib Dem MPs for voting against fuel price action.

Mr Hosie said: “Scottish MPs who voted against fair fuel prices, or did nothing and abstained, should be named and shamed for letting their communities down.

“When the country is crying out for action, Lib Dem MPs voted with the Tories against bringing fuel costs down, while 38 Scottish Labour MPs could not be bothered to even turn up.

“It is a total disgrace, and that is why fuel prices will be such a key campaigning issue for the Holyrood elections.

“Westminster’s failure is a key illustration of why we need to build up Scotland’s Parliament, and equip it with the full powers of financial responsibility.

“It is simply unacceptable that in energy-rich Scotland, motorists and businesses are facing pump prices that have reached over £1.40 a litre in some areas.

“Coupled with the UK Government’s recent VAT rise, these record fuel costs are putting a huge and unnecessary amount of pressure on our communities and on vital sectors of the Scottish economy, and risk choking the recovery that the SNP Government is building in Scotland.”

MPs Must Unite To Stabilise Fuel Costs

February 7, 2011 Stewart Hosie MP No comments

MPs MUST UNITE TO STABILISE FUEL COSTS Ahead of an SNP / Plaid Cymru debate on fuel prices today (Monday) in the House of Commons, organisations representing road users across Scotland have given their backing for to the parties calls for immediate action to stabilise the costs of fuel.

The Road Haulage Association, the Freight Transport, FairFuelUK, the Federation of Small Businesses Scotland and the Scottish Taxi Federation have all lent their support to demands to bring fuel costs down. The SNP / Plaid Cymru debate will be the last opportunity MPs will have to discuss fuel prices before the Budget in March.

Commenting in advance of the debate, SNP Treasury Spokesman Stewart Hosie MP said: “I am delighted that these organisations have spoken out and I hope MPs from all parties will do the same in this crucial debate ahead of the Budget. Soaring fuel prices are actually hindering economic recovery.

“The SNP and Plaid Cymru debate could well be the last opportunity for MPs to send a clear message to the government. Scottish MPs need to unite in demanding action because Scotland’s road users can’t wait any longer.”

Organisations backing calls for action – Peter Carroll of FairFuelUK said: “FairFuelUK is supported by over 20,000 road freight companies, the RAC, dozens of trade associations and other groups together with tens of thousands motorists. FairFuelUK supports the attempts of SNP and Plaid Cymru to raise the issue of high fuel prices and their impact on the economy on the floor of the House. Their motion and debate will all add pressure to the Government to act on the fuel crisis.”

Phil Flanders, Director of the RHA’s Scotland and Northern Ireland Region, said: “The RHA fully supports the SNP / Plaid Cymru motion to urge the Government to take immediate action to resolve the increasingly difficult situation that hauliers – and motorists – find themselves in due to the cost of fuel.

“We have always supported the SNP’s proposals for a fuel duty regulator in order to bring stability to the costs of a haulage business where fuel can account for around 40% of running costs at today’s prices. Whatever it is called – a stabiliser or a regulator – help is urgently needed for all hauliers and particularly those further from their market such as those in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Remote rural communities also deserve special help given the exorbitant price they have to pay.

“It cannot be stressed strongly enough that in the past year fuel prices have gone up by at least 14% and in the last 28 months there have been 8 fuel duty hikes amounting to a 25% increase. This is just simply unacceptable for the economy.”

A spokesperson for the Freight Transport Association said: “FTA welcomes the efforts of both Plaid Cymru and the SNP in helping to develop the fuel duty debate further. Lives and livelihoods up and down the country are suffering in the face of unsustainable and crippling fuel costs.

“For businesses still in the grip of tough trading conditions these costs severely restrict cash flow and a company’s ability to do business; sadly this can translate to job losses and the difference between solvency and insolvency.

“Fuel accounts for a third of the costs of running a truck, when its price rises steeply it has an immediate impact on a company’s cash flow. The fuel duty increase planned for April will likely see the price of a litre of diesel rise by 3.5ppl, landing UK business with an annual bill of over £430m.

“This cost is unsustainable and because the logistics sector impacts on every sector of our society there is no doubt that it will severely impede the UK’s chances of economic recovery.

“As part of the Fair Fuel UK Campaign, the Freight Transport Association and the Road Haulage Association, along with backing from the RAC, are asking government principally to scrap the fuel duty rise planned in April and introduce a methodology for stabilising fuel prices.”

Bill MacIntosh, General Secretary of the Scottish Taxi Federation said: ”Taxi drivers are affected more than most by increases in fuel. Unlike other transport operators, taxi drivers can’t just raise their prices as fares are set by local authorities. The Scottish Taxi Federation welcomes and supports the proposal of a fuel stabiliser.”

Andy Willox OBE, the Federation of Small Businesses’ Scottish Policy Convenor, said: “Scottish small businesses want to grow, innovate and create employment but the cost of fuel puts the brakes on their ability to drive the recovery.

“Every extra penny spent at the pumps is a penny not being spent elsewhere in the economy and our members are finding it hard to plan for the future, as well as survive the present, due to the spiralling cost of fuel.”

“The FSB is right behind all moves to introduce a fuel duty stabiliser.”

SNP Campaigning on Fair Fuel in Dundee

January 31, 2011 Joe FitzPatrick MSP, Shona Robison MSP, Stewart Hosie MP No comments

Dundee MSPs Shona Robison and Joe FitzPatrick were leading the campaign for ‘Fair Fuel’ on Saturday in Dundee City Square asking members of the public to sign up to The Courier’s ‘Fight for Fairer Fuel’ petition as well as distributing an SNP leaflet on the issue: ‘Pumping Up Prices – Yet Another Tory Sting’.

Shona Robison said: “We were out in Dundee City Square, with local SNP activists, campaigning against the continual hikes in fuel costs imposed by the UK Government. Their increases in fuel duty and VAT are putting real pressure on the budgets of Scotland’s motorists and households.

“More expensive fuel means more expensive goods in our shops. At what is a difficult time for families and businesses, the SNP is working to lower bills through the Council Tax freeze, Small Business Bonus scheme, abolishing prescription charges and the campaign for a fuel duty regulator.”

Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick said: “The SNP has said that we will make fuel prices a key part of our election campaign at the Scottish Parliament elections in May.

“I welcome The Courier’s campaign for fairer fuel which calls on the Conservative-led coalition to fulfill their pre-election promise to establish a fuel-duty regulator, something which the SNP has long supported.

“Every signature we have collected will help in the campaign to persuade the UK Government Treasury to take action to honour their pledges on fairer fuel. The Chancellor is swithering on whether he will cancel the 1p rise in fuel duty due to come into effect in April. With the public behind us, and influential newspapers like the Courier in support, we can succeed in our campaign.”

MSPs Take Fight For Fairer Fuel to Holyrood

January 28, 2011 Joe FitzPatrick MSP, Shona Robison MSP No comments

The Courier front page, 28 January - SNP MSPs Joe FitzPatrick, Shona Robison and Tricia Marwich with The Courier's petition

SNP MSPs Joe FitzPatrick and Shona Robison today [28 Jan] raised the fight for fair fuel in the debating chamber at Holyrood – and First Minister Alex Salmond was the first signature amongst 27 MSPs who backed the call for a fuel duty regulator to restore balance to petrol prices.  The entire Scottish Cabinet signed the petition launched by The Courier.

Joe FitzPatrick said: “This campaign is proving very popular as the public can see the fairness of our call. I am very surprised that Iain Gray, Labour Leader has failed to support the call for fuel duty regulator which will offer some relief to hard-pressed families and businesses.

Shona Robison said: “This campaign has huge popular support. Fair fuel is a real issue for every household budget and every single business in Dundee and across Scotland.  The UK Government must keep to their pre-election pledges of doing something about soaring fuel prices at the pumps. We will continue to campaign until they take action.”

Growth Figures Confirm Need for Fuel Relief

January 25, 2011 Stewart Hosie MP No comments

SNP MP and Treasury Spokesman Stewart Hosie today (Tuesday) called on the UK Government to take positive action on fuel to relieve pressure on businesses as the latest UK GDP figures showed a fall of 0.5% in the last quarter. Mr Hosie also warned that now was not the time to hike interest rates, placing additional burdens on business.

Commenting, Mr Hosie said: “These figures are disappointing and I hope the ONS are right that the downturn at the end of the year relates to the bad weather. “

Nonetheless, the UK Government simply cannot dismiss these as a bump in the road to recovery. George Osborne must focus on growing the economy.

“He must rule out any rise in the interest rate immediately. Businesses are already struggling with cash flow and this would only make matters more difficult.

“And now is the time to take action on spiralling fuel costs. The UK Government must reverse their plan to hike fuel duty in April and take long term action to stablise the price by introducing a fuel duty regulator.”

SNP Demand Coalition Action to Cut Fuel Duty

January 18, 2011 Stewart Hosie MP No comments

The SNP have stepped up demands on the Tories and LibDems to honour
their pre-election promises and cut fuel duty after Treasury Chief
Secretary Danny Alexander said his department would not ‘sacrifice
income willy nilly’ to help out motorists.

SNP Treasury spokesperson Stewart Hosie MP said the Lib Dem Minister’s
comments would infuriate motorists in Scotland and warned that a
failure to act on soaring fuel prices was hindering economic recovery.

The SNP has launched a new campaign leaflet highlighting the SNP
support for a fuel duty stabiliser to be introduced by Westminster or
for powers over fuel duty to be transferred to the Scottish
Parliament. It will also highlight how the SNP has been the only party
to consistently support hard pressed families and businesses against
unreasonable rises in fuel costs.

Mr Hosie said: “As a Highland MP, Danny Alexander’s dismissal of action to

bring down fuel costs is another disgraceful betrayal by the LibDems of one of
their key pre-election promises.

“The country is crying out for action but the ConDems are stalling,
and Labour oppose the introduction of a fair fuel stabiliser, but
people in Scotland can put their foot on the accelerator by supporting
the SNP.

“At the last Westminster election the Tories and LibDems promised
action on sky high fuel taxes but have failed to deliver, that is why
this is going to be a key campaign issue for the SNP at the Scottish
general election in May.

 “The SNP has consistently argued for a fuel stabiliser to bring
prices down and help businesses and families.

“Businesses cannot afford to be kept hanging on by the Tories.  The UK
Government should commit to scrapping the duty and introducing a
stabiliser now and the SNP will be putting the pressure on them to do
just that.

“The country is crying-out for action to bring down fuel prices, and
no issue better shows why the Scottish Parliament needs the economic
and financial tools 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.”

SNP DEMAND END TO FUEL DUTY HIGHWAY ROBBERY

January 10, 2011 Stewart Hosie MP No comments

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.”

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