Fuel duty furore

SCOTTISH finance secretary John Swinney is pressing the UK government to explain whether the 5p per litre rebate applies to commercial vehicles bulk buying fuel.

Mr Swinney has written to the chief secretary to the treasury Danny Alexander seeking “urgent clarification” from the treasury whether the derogation on fuel duty applies to bulk purchases.

“Many small and medium sized companies, such as haulage, bus and taxi firms, use bulk purchases to offset some of the additional costs incurred by operating on the islands,” he said.

“At a time when fuel costs continue to rise, and the broader economic outlook remains challenging, the most effective action the UK government can take to help is to ensure that the discount applies to all petrol and diesel purchased in bulk.”