Farron calls for South Lakes to be pilot area for fuel duty rebate

Local MP, Tim Farron, has called on the Chancellor to pilot the rural fuel tax cut scheme in the South Lakes

In the last budget the Chancellor outlined plans for a pilot of government plans to remove some tax from the cost of fuel bought in rural areas. South Lakes MP Tim Farron - who ensured that this policy was in the Liberal Democrats' election manifesto - is calling for the pilot area to be in the South Lakes. The fuel duty rebate would mean fairer fuel prices for remote areas such as ours.

Commenting, Tim said: "Having a car in our area is neither a luxury nor a convenience. Rural communities, such as ours in the South Lakes, are the hardest hit by high fuel prices and it's simply not fair. What logic is there in charging people in rural areas where the cost of living is higher and average wages are lower the same, or a greater rate of taxation as in large cities? This is why I am suggesting using our area as the pilot for the fuel derogation scheme.

I am thrilled that the government is eager to tackle this problem. I have called on the Chancellor to consider the South Lakes for the pilot scheme, as it would be the ideal area to ensure the national success of the Rural Fuel Derogation Scheme."