Opposition Day — Reduction of Fuel Duties for the Most Remote Areas — 7 Feb 2011 at 19:15

The majority of MPs voted against introducing a lower rate tax on fuel in the most remote areas.

The text of the rejected motion was:

• That this House
• notes that the oil price has reached $100 a barrel, and that diesel in the UK is the most expensive in Europe;
• further notes that the combination of the 1 January 2011 duty rise and the increase in value added tax is estimated to have added 3.5 pence to the cost of a litre of fuel;
• acknowledges the sharp rises in fuel prices over the past year and the resulting impact on headline inflation figures;
• recognises the financial pressure this places on hard-pressed families and businesses already struggling with high inflation and the impact of the recent rise in value added tax;
• condemns the Government's continued dithering over the implementation of a fuel duty regulator (or stabiliser) as neither a sustainable or stable way to make tax policy;
• further recognises the specific additional fuel costs for those living in remote and rural parts of the UK;
• is concerned that diesel in such places is approaching £7 per gallon;
• condemns the Government for its failure to prioritise the implementation of a fuel duty derogation; and
• calls for the introduction of a fuel duty derogation to the most remote areas at the earliest opportunity.

This vote was followed by one in which the majority of MPs voted to note the government's commitment to deliver a discount in fuel duty for certain remote rural areas.

Debate in Parliament | Source |