Liberal Democrats are to take their fight for fairer fuel prices in rural communities to the Scottish Parliament tomorrow.

The Parliament will debate a Liberal Democrat motion calling for a mechanism to reduce the fuel price differential between remote rural and island communities and urban areas of the UK.

Commenting ahead of the debate, Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs and Energy spokesman Liam McArthur said:

"For most people living and working in rural communities, public transport options are limited and travel by private car is a necessity not a luxury.

"The higher price of fuel, combined with the need to travel longer distances, means that the cost paid by rural motorists is often markedly higher than their counterparts elsewhere in the UK. This is despite the fact that average incomes in rural communities tends to be lower.

"With fuel costs now estimated to be at an all time high, this additional burden on household expenditure comes at a time when many are already struggling to make ends meet.

"That is why the Scottish Liberal Democrats continue to press the case for a lower rate of fuel duty to be applied in remote rural and island areas.

“To date, Labour Ministers support differential duties being introduced in other EU member states, but refuse to act in the UK. The Tories shed crocodile tears, yet offer no solution to tackle the premium paid by rural motorists. Meanwhile, SNP Ministers show little urgency in pressing the case for action, despite supporting our motion 12 months ago.

"Government north and south of the border cannot keep ducking this issue. In the interests of fairness to our remote rural and island communities, it is time to act."