Rural drivers not getting a fair deal - John Thurso and George Lyon MEP

12.00.00am GMT Tue 2nd Feb 2010

George Lyon, Liberal Democrat MEP for Scotland, and local MP John Thurso have called on the UK and Scottish Governments to work together to secure a fuel price derogation for Scotland's most rural and remote areas.

Mr Lyon has asked the European Commission to look into fuel derogation schemes that have been used in other EU Member States. His investigation has found that petrol prices in the areas that benefit from the scheme are reduced by between 1.5 and 3.8 cents per litre.

Some areas of rural Scotland currently pay up to 10p more than the national average and Mr Lyon wants rural areas of Scotland to benefit from similar reductions.

Commenting, Mr Lyon said:

"It hasn't gone unnoticed that petrol prices are creeping up again. While this can be a serious financial burden for families across the country, the anguish is heightened in rural and remote areas.

"In rural Scotland, the public transport alternatives to driving that exist in the central belt are simply not available. This makes driving a necessity, not a luxury.

"France, Portugal and Greece have all implemented fuel derogation for rural areas. I want Scotland's rural and remote areas to benefit in the same way."

John Thurso MP added:

"A few pence may not sound like a lot but it can be the difference between a local business succeeding or failing, or a pensioner being able to afford to heat their home or not.

"My Highland colleagues and I conducted an energy survey at the end of last year which showed the extent to which people in the north are already suffering from fuel poverty. These results were largely in before the recent severe weather conditions in the north.

"The Labour Government have sat on their hands while other European countries have rolled up their sleeves and helped rural communities to meet the cost of essential travel.

"This is exactly the kind of scheme which I put to the Treasury during the Finance Bill. Together with my Liberal Democrats colleagues I will continue to push for a fair deal for Scotland's rural communities at Westminster and welcome this support from George Lyon in Brussels ."