Liberal Democrats in West Worcestershire fight to expand Rural Fuel Duty Relief to cut petrol prices for local drivers

The Liberal Democrats have announced plans to support motorists in rural
areas by doubling the scope of the Rural Fuel Duty Relief scheme to include
another 21 rural areas. This could include areas such as West
Worcestershire, saving drivers 5p a litre at the pump.
 
Rural Fuel Duty Relief helps to bring costs down for drivers in rural areas, who
previous research has found spend an average of £800 more on fuel costs a year
than those in urban ones. The scheme is currently applied to just 21 areas
across the country. Fuel retailers in these areas can apply for relief of 5p per litre
of petrol or diesel, which is then passed on to consumers through reductions in
price at the pump. 
 
Liberal Democrats will double the number of areas covered by the scheme,
meaning an additional 21 areas across the UK will benefit from the Relief,
funded by an additional £7m a year by the end of the Parliament (on top of the
existing £7m cost of the scheme). The party has proposed a consultation to
determine the areas which could receive the new Relief within England.
 
The Liberal Democrats have also committed to introducing a Pumpwatch
scheme, to allow drivers to directly compare fuel prices and protect them from
rip-off prices. The government has previously pledged to introduce a
Pumpwatch scheme, but failed to deliver on that promise before the end of the
Parliament. 
 
Local Liberal Democrat spokesperson Dan Boatright-Greene commented: 

 
“People in West Worcestershire have been clobbered by the cost of living crisis
and the Conservatives have just not done enough to support them. We need a
real rescue plan to support our rural community who is struggling with
outrageous prices at the pump.
 
“The Conservatives have let the cost of living crisis hit communities, like West
Worcestershire, the hardest. They have ignored Liberal Democrat calls to expand
rural fuel duty relief, left roads to crumble and cut public transport options,
including rural bus routes.
 
“We are standing up for our rural communities after years of Conservative chaos
and neglect. Every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote for a strong local
champion who will fight for the fair deal you deserve.”