Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP Angus MacNeil has reacted with dismay that the Chancellor has no plans to increase the Rural Fuel Rebate.

Mr MacNeil wrote to Chancellor Rishi Sunak in March calling for an increase to the Rural Fuel Rebate and the response received from Helen Whately, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury confirms that there are no plans to change the Rural Fuel Rebate.

The Rural Fuel Rebate was introduced in 2012 after many years of heavy lobbying by Mr MacNeil and others to take 5p off a litre of fuel in island and other rural locations.

Mr MacNeil said: “As inflation hits 9.1%, the highest and fastest rate in 40 years, people are struggling to make ends meet as the cost of living continues to rise.  I had asked the Chancellor to increase the Rural Fuel Rebate from 5p a litre to 10p a litre, this request has been woefully brushed aside.

“In the UK we have a weak exchange rate which is increasing the cost of living.  It is worth noting that in the summer of 2008, the oil price was much higher in US$ terms than it is now but because the £ has fallen by 40% against the dollar, the price at the fuel pumps is approximately 50% higher than it was 15 years ago.

“Rather than taking action to help families, the Tories choose to make the rich richer.

“Scotland is an energy-rich country but sadly being in the UK we are not getting the benefits of our vast resources."