Fuel discount scheme will start in March 25/11/11
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander has today announced that from the beginning of March 2012
The delayed fuel discount scheme promised for the Western Isles will commence in March says Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander.
Motorists in remote island communities will get 5 pence off a litre of petrol or diesel at the pumps which works out at about 22 pence a gallon.
The announcement came after the Government received final EU clearance to operate its rural fuel rebate pilot scheme in the Inner and Outer Hebrides, Northern Isles, islands in the Clyde and the Isles of Scilly.
Danny Alexander said: “This is terrific news for island communities, which have long suffered the effects of high fuel costs. From 1 March next year, islanders will see a 5p cut in the pump price of petrol and diesel.
“As well as securing EU clearance, we have produced a scheme designed to protect the cashflow of local retailers. We have also delivered on a promise to help address the persistent unfairness of some of the lowest income communities in the country paying among the highest pump prices.
“After years of people saying this could not be done, the Government has delivered it in less than two.
“This is another example of our determination to govern for the benefit of the whole United Kingdom.”
Fuel retailers on the islands will receive a 5p a litre rebate on the petrol and diesel they purchase and will be required to pass on the full saving to the customer.
To ensure that retailers suffer no cashflow problems in passing on the discount from 1 March, they will be able to claim the 5p rebate from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) on fuel purchased from 1 January next year.
The Government intends to begin the rural fuel rebate pilot scheme from 1 January 2012, with retailers required to pass on the discount in pump prices from 1 March 2012
To support retailers in covering the initial costs of the scheme, HMRC will provide
an up-