Tim Farron calls for rural fuel relief scheme to benefit all of Cumbria
This week in Parliament, Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron pleaded with government ministers to expand fuel duty relief to support motorists in Cumbria.
Fuel prices have soared over the past few weeks as a result of the US/Israel war with Iran.
The Rural Fuel Duty Relief Scheme provides a 5 pence per litre reduction on petrol and diesel duty for registered retailers in 21 designated, remote rural areas across the UK.
The only place in Cumbria which currently benefits from the rebate is the LA17 postcode which covers the villages of Kirkby-in-Furness and Grizebeck.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Tim said: “In rural communities like mine, people on the most modest of incomes have to own a car in order to access our economy or any kind of life at all.
“Somone living in Kendal might work in Grange-over-Sands, or vice versa; someone living in Ambleside might work in Barrow, or vice versa; someone living in Kirkby Stephen might have to travel 60 miles every day to go and work in the hospitality and tourism industry in Windermere or Bowness.
“The impact of the fuel price rises over the past three weeks is utterly devastating for these people. Diesel in Cumbria is 160p a litre - up to 170p in some cases - and petrol is near to 140p a litre. Indeed, red diesel is passing the £1 mark for the first time.”
“The rural fuel subsidy came about as a consequence of the Liberal Democrats’ time in government, when we were in coalition with our Conservative colleagues. Outrageously, though, it applies to only 21 places in the UK, not one of them in Wales and only one of them in Cumbria - a lovely place called Grizebeck.
“That means that the Government have a mechanism by which they could help rural communities, and we ask them, at the very least, to double the access and scope of the rural fuel duty subsidy right across the country - including, first and foremost, I am bound to say, in the Lakes and Dales of Cumbria.
“Everyone will be hurt by the impact on inflation - reduced demand, inequality and unfairness for those earning the least will potentially be huge.”
Dan Tomlinson MP, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, replied: “The Liberal Democrat spokesperson, the honourable member for Westmorland and Lonsdale, and other members made very important points about the impact of fuel price increases on those in rural communities.
“He will be aware, as I believe it applies to his constituency and to some of the others mentioned today, of the rural fuel duty relief scheme, which does provide a reduction to motorists in those parts of the country that are more rural.
“As I said in a Westminster Hall debate, which some in this Chamber attended, I am always happy to receive representations on whether that scheme should be widened.”