Councillor calls for extension of fuel discount scheme
A LOCAL councillor has urged the government to make good on the possibility mooted in its mid-term review of extending its successful rural fuel discount scheme to mainland rural communities like those he serves.
The call was made by Coun Dougie Watkin, Lib Dem member for Norham & Islandshire on Northumberland County Council - one of its most sparsely populated and rural divisions.
The Rural Fuel Duty Rebate gives motorists on remote Scottish isles, and the Scilly Isles, a 5p per litre discount on their fuel. The mid-term review moots the possibility of extending the scheme to other remote rural communities.
Coun Watkin said: “In communities like those I represent, a car is not a luxury, it is absolutely essential if people are to be able to get about in their day to day lives. Public transport is non-existent in some parts of my division and if they can’t afford to fill up their cars, people living in those areas risk being cut off.
“The cost of living in rural areas is higher than in urban areas and rural Northumberland has some of the lowest average earnings in the country. Anything the government can do to ease the burden in areas like Norham & Islandshire should definitely be considered.”
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Weather for Berwick-Upon-Tweed
Thursday 23 May 2013
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 5 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 24 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North east
