‘Fair Fuel Bill’ introduced in House of Commons

The introduction of a “Fair Fuel Bill” in the House of Commons has been welcomed by Northern Isles MP Alistair Carmichael.

The bill, introduced by Conservative MP Peter Aldous, would require filling stations to show customers how much of the cost per litre of fuel is made up in taxes.

Mr Carmichael said: “Many people would be surprised, and not in a good way, to know the percentage of the cost of a litre of fuel that goes to the Treasury.  You pay VAT, fuel duty and then VAT on the duel duty.”

Tax transparency, he said, is just one of the issues that needs to be looked at the ensure the price paid at the pumps is fair.

“This is a cross-party initiative that could make a difference in communities the length and breadth of the country.  I suspect that this would make it more difficult for the Treasury to raise fuel duty in the future.  That is, I suspect, why they are opposing it.”