Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been urged to cut VAT on fuel costs in a bid to help rural communities struggling to keep pace with the soaring price of petrol and diesel.
Scottish National Party MSP Calum Kerr has called on the Government to end its “attack on rural communities” through emergency measures.
The conflict in the Middle East has sent oil prices soaring, which has been passed on to the costs paid at the pumps by petrol and diesel drivers around the world.
Fresh data from RAC Fuel Watch shows that drivers are paying an average of 161.23p per litre for unleaded and 182.15p for diesel.
Forecasts from the RAC suggest that diesel is likely to rise in price, while unleaded is expected to stagnate, although this could change with President Trump’s latest threat to Iran.
Posting on Truth Social, the US President threatened to embark on the “most crushing economic operation ever taken against any country”.
In response to the fluctuating fuel prices, Mr Kerr said Prime Minister Andy Burnham should follow the lead of the Irish Government in temporarily cutting excise duty on fuel.
The Irish Government announced a huge cut of 32 cents (27p) for diesel and a 27 cent (23p) per litre reduction for petrol to help drivers at the pumps.
The €100million (£85.6million) support scheme has delivered targeted assistance for farmers and agricultural contractors, while a separate scheme looks to help haulage and coach firms.
The SNP MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, reiterated his calls for the Government to cut VAT in the upcoming Autumn Budget in October.
He said: “Our farmers just want to get on with delivering food security and jobs in Scottish communities, but fuel costs are ramping up costs to unaffordable levels.
“While the UK Labour Government sits on its hands, just a few miles across the Irish Sea we see an independent European nation taking decisive action to support their rural communities.
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“In energy rich Scotland, filling up the tank shouldn’t mean emptying the bank account, but while Scotland has the energy, Westminster sets the price.”
He also criticised the Prime Minister’s “listening tour” for so far not venturing north of the border to Scotland.
A Treasury spokesperson stated that Chancellor John Healey was working to improve the lives of people in every postcode across the country.
“As has always been the case, the Chancellor will set out decisions at fiscal events, rather than routinely commenting on rumour, speculation or proposals,” they added.
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