Fuel duty rise will have disproportionate impact on rural communities

Local MP Tim Farron has hit out at today's rise in fuel duty which will have a disproportionate impact on rural communities like the South Lakes.

Speaking this morning, Tim said: "As petrol prices once again hit a record high it's astonishing that Alistair Darling wasn't prepared to reconsider increasing fuel duty today. Many residents in rural areas such as south Cumbria have no alternative but to use their cars given the non-existence of public transport. They are being hit by a triple whammy of recession, high petrol prices and now fuel duty hikes."