Vehicles are an essential and not a luxury in Dumfries and Galloway, insisted the region’s MP as he urged the Chancellor to keep the cost of fuel down in the upcoming UK budget.
John Cooper joined a campaign with more than 70 other members of parliament to prevent any increases on prices at the pumps.
In a joint letter to Rachel Reeves, dozens of Conservative MPs have told the Chancellor to consider the impact of a rise in fuel duty on low-income families, small businesses, and the logistics industry. The autumn budget is to be announced next Wednesday, and Labour are claiming tax hikes are necessary due to the financial mess left behind by the Tories.
Fuel duty has remained frozen for the last 14 years, currently standing at 6p less than when Labour were last in power. However, Mr Cooper argues that instability in the Middle East will continue to make oil prices volatile, which means it is essential the Chancellor helps to keep the cost of fuel down. Working with FairFuelUK and Saqib Bhatti MBE MP, Cooper and fellow Conservative MPs claim that hiking fuel duty slows economic growth, costs jobs, stokes inflation and reduces consumer spending.
If fuel duty is increased by 5p it is estimated to add £160 to annual fill-up costs. Mr Cooper argues that these added costs are unavoidable for constituents in rural communities who have limited access to public transport.
He said: “The Conservatives stood by Britain’s motorists and kept fuel prices down at the budget for 14 consecutive years. There is yet to be any indication from the Government that Labour will do the same. That means the prospect of a rise in fuel hangs over motorists before the budget. It would have a devastating impact on families and businesses here in the south-west, where distances between homes and key institutions – such as schools and hospitals – are large and public transport is sketchy at best.
“I’m further alarmed by reports Labour may be looking to tax vehicles on a per-mile basis. That might work in places such as Glasgow and Edinburgh, with good bus and even tram services. But with over 70 miles along one of the country’s worst roads – the A75 – between the west of the region and the hospital in Dumfries, once again rural communities face a penalty.”