Roger Williams MP Launches Campaign For Rural Fuel Rebate

4.00.00pm GMT Fri 20th Jun 2008

Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Wales, Roger Williams MP, has today called on the Government to obtain a derogation from the EU so that they can introduce a fuel rebate for those living in rural areas, as new Welsh Liberal Democrat research shows that parts of Wales are paying more for their petrol.

Roger Williams is spearheading a campaign for the Government to cut rural fuel duty in recognition of the fact that cars are an essential part of life in rural communities, due to their lack of public transport, and the greater distance needed to travel to obtain goods and services.

France, Portugal and Greece have obtained derogations from the EU so that they can apply a lower rate of fuel duty in rural and inaccessible areas. The Government has yet to apply for a similar derogation that would see some of the burden lifted on rural communities.

Figures calculated by the Welsh Liberal Democrats show that Welsh fuel prices are typically higher than in England. This is particularly true of rural areas where people in Brecon, Carmarthen and Bangor have to pay around 2p more for a litre of unleaded than in places such as Bristol, Shrewsbury and Birmingham. A similar picture emerges from looking at the price of diesel.

The Liberal Democrats have in the past two years proposed amendments to the Finance Bill to seek this derogation, but the Government has always rejected these moves. The Conservatives have abstained on these measures.

Roger Williams MP launches his Fuel Rebate Campaign

Commenting, Roger Williams said:

"In rural areas, cars are a necessity not a luxury because of the way people lead their lives. People in rural areas are being stung because they simply have to buy more petrol than people in cities.

"I am calling on the Government to apply for a European derogation similar to that which France, Portugal and Greece have already secured, so that they can cut fuel tax in rural areas.

"We know that rises in prices at the pump are driven by the global oil price, but why isn't the Government taking all the action available to them to ease the pressure on rural communities.

"I am launching this campaign to send a message to the Prime Minister that he has to take action to help people in rural areas who are struggling to make ends meet. Ultimately this is a test of whether the Government care about rural communities or not."

On new figures that show that in many parts of Wales petrol is more expensive, Mr Williams added:

"Not only do we have to pay more for fuel because we use more, we also pay a higher price at the pump because of the extra costs involved in distributing petrol to more remote areas.

"3p might not sound like a lot, but it works out at around an extra £30 a year for the average UK car, and that figure would of course be even higher in rural areas.

"These extra costs further demonstrate the need to take urgent action to reduce fuel costs for people living in rural Wales."

Notes to editors:

Roger Williams launched his campaign at 11am on Friday 20th June at Talgarth Livestock Market, Nr. Brecon

The attached picture shows Roger Williams MP at Talgarth Market with Cllr Clair Powell (Bronllys), Cllr Bill Powell (Talgarth) and local farmers.

Research calculated by the Welsh Liberal Democrats from average petrol prices listed at www.petrolprices.com

Average cost per litre (p)

Unleaded

Diesel

Aberystwyth

119

133.5

Bangor

119.5

133.1

Birmingham

117.7

131

Brecon

119.7

134.4

Bridgend

119.1

132.9

Brighton

118.9

131.6

Bristol

117.5

130.5

Caernarfon

119.4

133.1

Cardiff

118.1

131.2

Cardigan

118.9

131.5

Carmarthen

119.2

132.9

Dolgellau

119.2

134.2

Edinburgh

117.3

130.6

Glasgow

116.5

129.8

Holyhead

119.2

132.6

Inverness

119.4

132.6

Leeds

116.5

130.1

Liverpool

117.1

130.6

Llandrindod Wells

119.7

133.7

Llandudno

117.5

131.2

Llanelli

118.8

132.4

Manchester

117

130.6

Newcastle

117.5

130.9

Newtown

117.9

132.9

Shrewsbury

117.5

130.9

Southampton

118.1

130.6

St. Ives

118.9

131.4

Swansea

118.1

131.4

Welshpool

117.9

133.4

Wrexham

117.6

130.7

Ends/Diwedd

James West

Parliamentary Researcher to Roger Williams MP

Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary of State for Wales

Liberal Democrat Food and Rural Affairs Spokesperson

Tel: 020 7219 8145

Fax: 020 7219 1747