Scott: Don’t delay on duty

SHETLAND’S MSP is already calling on the European Commission to support the coalition government’s pledge to cut fuel duty in the Scottish islands and the Isles of Scilly.

The Liberal Democrats announced their plan to reduce fuel duty by 5p during their Scottish conference last weekend, in recognition of the campaign their own members had been running while successive Labour and Tory administrations were in power.

Scottish LibDem leader Tavish Scott acknowledged that the decision lay in the hands of Brussels, but added: “As similar schemes exist elsewhere in Europe, the European Commission can have no excuse for delaying their consideration of this proposal. If a fuel duty derogation is allowed in Sardinia, then it must be allowed in Shetland.

“Shetland drivers and businesses have already waited too long for this welcome step forward. The Commission must not prolong the wait. They must be pushed by the UK Government to give their consent without delay.”