Rural Fuel Duty Consultation
11th August 2011
Council responds to UK Government consultation on rural fuel duty
The Highland Council is committed to campaign for fair and equitable fuel prices across the Highlands and Islands and yesterday (Thursday 11 August 2001) members of the TEC Services Committee approved a response to the UK Government's consultation on the Rural Fuel Duty Rebate Pilot Scheme.
Chairman of the TEC Services Committee, Councillor John Laing said: "We strongly support the introduction of the scheme, however in our response we stress that it must be set up in such a way as to actively encourage local fuel retailers to participate. We believe that the current proposal, which involves the repayment of the 5 pence per litre in arrears, is likely to put a number of businesses at financial risk. We also want to see the proposed scheme extended to the remote areas of the mainland Highlands where the population is low and the impact of high fuel prices is comparable with the Island communities.
"In March of this year we wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to argue the case that 5 pence per litre is too low to make a real impact on the pump prices. In our formal response to the consultation we have once again stated that we would prefer to see a percentage reduction to protect against future increases in fuel prices."
Chairman of the Planning, Environment and Development Committee, Councillor Ian Ross added: "People living in our remote communities and the thousands of tourists who holiday and visit the many high quality visitor attractions across the Highlands rely on a secure and available fuel supply - it is crucial that there no perception or concerns over limitations in fuel availability or high costs. The Rural Fuel Duty Rebate Scheme is only part of the solution to help the Highlands and Islands retain a viable network of rural filling stations. We face a significant challenge but as a Council we are fully committed to making further robust representations - this includes looking at capital investment in new equipment and alternative renewable fuels. Our focus remains very much on ensuring there is the necessary support to maintain an effective fuel supply network across the whole area, this is vital for the sustainability of our rural communities and key industries."
Related Businesses
Related Articles
All eligible young people are being encouraged to apply for a weekly, term time allowance of £30 per week from August 2025. The Highland Council administers Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) in respect of eligible young people from across its 29 secondary schools.
Legislation has been amended to ensure veterans who receive a payment from the LGBT Financial Recognition Scheme do not lose out on council tax support. More than 1,200 people in Scotland who served under and suffered from the ban on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) personnel serving in HM Armed Forces between 1967 and 2000 have applied to the UK Government for compensation so far.
At the Education Committee of Highland Council on Wednesday 4 June, Members were presented with the Integrated Children Services Plan Annual Report 2024/25. The Integrated Children's Service’s work continues as it enters the 3rd year of the delivery of the Integrated Children’s Service Plan.
The Highland Council, Education Committee met today (Wednesday 4 June 2025) and received a comprehensive overview of recent developments in the Education and Learning Service. It included positive school leaver destinations and an update on the refreshed attainment strategy and the Education and Learning management restructure.
Tha comhairlichean Chomhairle na Gàidhealtachd air fàilte a chur air an obair ionmholta a thathar a' dèanamh gus cothroman a leudachadh do luchd-ionnsachaidh òga na Gàidhlig. Aig coinneamh Chomataidh na Gàidhlig an-diugh (Diciadain 4 Ògmhios) chaidh an obair leasachaidh a thathar a’ dèanamh aig Bun-Sgoil Bhaile an Fhraoich ann an Inbhir Nis a chomharrachadh mar dheagh eisimpleir de bhith a’ cruthachadh "spiorad mhath is ion-ghabhaltach airson na Gàidhlig thar na sgoile".
Highland Council's dedicated road marking team has been fully mobilised to carry out road marking across the Highland region. Finally after many years of depending on contractors from the south a Highland council team will be able to get on with the work regularly as weather allows.
Last weekend saw the first patrols of The Highland Council's, new Seasonal Access Ranger team. The new rangers will seek to promote and advise on responsible access to the countryside through the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
The Highland Council's ‘Food in Schools' project is a key component of the Council’s Delivery Plan and the Redesign Board Chaired by the Convener of the Council - Councillor Bill Lobban has launched a range of surveys to better understand the various components of food provision in school settings. The surveys will be issued by Head Teachers, on behalf of the Food in Schools project team, to current pupils (P1-S6), parents and carers, teachers and non-teaching staff (e.g.
Applications Now Open for Highland Council's Strategic Events Grant. The Highland Council is pleased to announce the official launch of its new Strategic Events Grant Fund, a £75,000 initiative designed to support the region's dynamic events sector and strengthen the local economy during the quieter shoulder and off-season months.
In a recent survey of blind and partially sighted people, only a quarter feel that the current system allows them to vote independently and in secret. We want to change that.