SNP MP WELCOMES ISLANDS FUEL DUTY DISCOUNT

For Immediate Release – Saturday 9^th October 2010

Attention:  NEWS DESKS

            POLITICAL CORRESPONDENTS

SNP MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar, Angus MacNeil has warmly welcomed the announcement by Danny Alexander that a 5p per litre duty discount is to be introduced in the Inner and Outer Hebrides, the Northern Isles and Scilly Islands.

Mr MacNeil has been pressing the ConDem coalition to take action since the new government took power in May. In June, he was joined by Erica MacDonald, a constituent from Lewis, who presented 3000 signature petition protesting high fuel prices to the Treasury.

Commenting, Angus MacNeil MP said:

“I am delighted with this news. This is a victory for islanders who are paying more tax per litre on fuel than anyone else in the UK.  

“The impact of sky high fuel bills in remote parts of Scotland was ignored by Labour ministers for a decade and I am pleased that Danny Alexander has finally heeded my calls to take action.

“The 5p discount is definitely a step in the right direct but with a VAT hike looming in the New Year, the ConDem coalition must not drag their heels.”

ENDS