Today, SNP Na h-Eileanan an Iar MP Angus MacNeil has welcomed the announcement from the UK Chancellor that the planned fuel duty increase of 3 pence a litre will not now go ahead in August. Mr MacNeil was part of a cross-party campaign led by SNP Finance Spokesperson Stewart Hosie MP who were campaigning against this increase.

Speaking today Mr MacNeil said,

“I am very happy to hear that the work of my colleague has resulted in another UK Treasury u-turn.

“Ever since I’ve been in Parliament I have been campaigning for, not only, lower fuel duty but local control of fuel duty.

“While families and businesses will welcome this announcement, we in the Hebrides are still suffering from the highest fuel duty in Europe.

“While I welcome the announcement from the Treasury today, the fact remains that as long as fuel duty is set in London we will have to wait years for derogations or for surprise announcements from Parliament.”

ENDS