SNP VOW TO MAKE FUEL ACTION KEY HOLYROOD CAMPAIGN

For Immediate Release - Monday 7 February 2010




Attn: NEWS DESKS


TRANSPORT / POLITICAL CORRESPONDENTS



WESTMINSTER FAILURE MAKES CASE FOR HOLYROOD POWERS


The SNP have vowed to make soaring fuel prices a key Holyrood campaign after a demand for action was defeated in the House of Commons this evening (Monday).



An SNP and Plaid Cymru motion, backed by a coalition of motoring and industry organisations, was defeated by 303 to 14 votes with Lib Dem and Tory MPs voting against calls for relief, and Labour MPs abstaining. 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 a fuel duty regulator.



Speaking after the vote, SNP Treasury spokesperson Stewart Hosie MP said:


“People were looking to parliament for action, but have been let down by a coalition of Labour, Tory and Lib Dem MPs who have betrayed households and businesses.


“If Westminster won’t act then we need to equip the Scottish Parliament with the powers so that it can deliver instead. Fuel prices are a crucial issue for households and businesses, and will now become a central issue for the Holyrood elections in May.



“The SNP will use every opportunity to remind people in Scotland of the way Labour and the Lib Dems have let Scotland down, and done nothing while fuel prices soared.


 
“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.”



ENDS