PRA welcomes announcement to cut rural fuel tax

“The PRA welcomes the news that seventeen of the UK’s most rural communities are a step closer to getting up to a 5p per litre fuel price cut. The government’s Rural Fuel Rebate scheme has today cleared the major hurdle gaining European Commission (EC) approval”, said Brian Madderson, chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association.

Following the recent announcement from Danny Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury, the scheme will allow 125,000 people living in the selected areas to benefit from cheaper fuel. These areas currently face some of the highest fuel prices in the country despite depending on cars for transport.

The PRA has been liaising with the HM Treasury throughout this process and its members have praised its efforts on the back of this news.

“This is fantastic news for us and we thank the PRA for all their continued help and support”, said Ian Bown, proprietor of the Gulf branded Dalehead Garage in Hawes, Wensleydale.

Madderson continued, “The UK’s most rural islands already receive this discount, but this will be the first time ever that the Commission has approved a fuel discount on the mainland in the UK.”

With a view to implementing the scheme during the current Parliament, the government is pressing ahead with a formal consultation on the regulations necessary to implement the changes.