Call for North Cornwall to be fuel duty rebate pilot area
Fuel duty relief for rural areas was a key plank of the Liberal Democrat manifesto at the General Election, and Lib Dem negotiators had it included in their Coalition agreement with the Conservatives.
George Osborne used his Budget to announce that the new Coalition Government is examining how to make a rebate scheme work.
Mr Rogerson has offered to meet the Chancellor to discuss the available options, and suggested that North Cornwall be an early pilot for the scheme. In a letter, he says, “I am sure you will appreciate that car use in North Cornwall is neither a luxury nor a choice. It is a necessity.”
Commenting, he said:
“Liberal Democrats have long argued that fuel duty is a blunt instrument. It’s easy for London based politicians to claim that it is vital to protect the environment, but in rural areas like ours it simply clobbers the poorest hardest.
“Driving in North Cornwall is a necessity since public transport links are inadequate even between the urban centres and completely non-existent when it comes to our most rural communities.
“I am delighted that the Coalition is finally looking into how we address this issue, where 13 years of Labour saw fuel prices rocket with no assistance for rural areas.
“North Cornwall would be an excellent place to start with an early pilot scheme to ensure that nationwide roll out of a rural rebate is a success.”
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