Rural fuel discount due in spring, promises Scots MP

A special discount on the cost of fuel for people who live in remote island communities will be in place by spring next year, a Scottish MP has promised.

Alistair Carmichael said the 5p per litre reduction on petrol and diesel was due to be approved by Europe soon.

It will cover the Inner and Outer Hebridean islands, the Northern Isles, the islands of the Clyde and the Isles of Scilly.

The pledge comes ahead of the Commons debate on the cost of fuel.

Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney & Shetland Mr Carmichael told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme: "There will be a process that involves first of all the retailers themselves, who will be the people who will have to deliver this 5p reduction.

"That will ensure that they will have the money upfront so that the scheme, when it's put in place, doesn't trash their business because of cashflow problems.

"I would be fairly confident, in fact I am confident on the basis of discussions I had with Treasury ministers, that it will be available to everyone by the start of the spring."

UK ministers are not allowed to cut fuel duty without getting permission from Brussels first.

In September, plans for the discount for remote island communities were approved by the European Commission (EC).

However, European finance ministers have to agree it before it can finally go ahead.

SNP MP for the Western Isles Angus MacNeil told the same programme he was "impatient" for the scheme to start.

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