Action must be taken against fuel prices, say MSPs

A call for “sustained action” against the “substantial discrepancy” in fuel prices between the Northern Isles and the Scottish mainland has been made.

Steps must be taken to reduce the amount islanders pay at the pumps, say Orkney MSP Liam McArthur and his Shetland colleague Tavish Scott, who also say that recent decreases in the price of crude oil has not been reflected at fuel stations.

A motion highlighting the cost of filling up in the isles has been lodged in the Scottish Parliament by the pair.

According to the motion, petrol can cost up to £1.50 a litre and diesel can cost up to £1.44 a litre in the Northern Isles.

This is in contrast to areas of the Scottish mainland, with prices of £1.17 for petrol and £1.19 for diesel.