ROBERTSON MEETS WITH HAULIER OVER FUEL PRICES
Posted on Monday, February 11 2008
Our own oil is cheaper to buy in other countries than here in Scotland" - Robertson Moray's SNP Member of the Westminster Parliament, Angus Robertson, will today (Wednesday) visit local Moray haulier Baillie Brothers to highlight concerns over the rapidly increasing price of fuel. The SNP MP believes that businesses and consumers alike are overly penalised by the UK's fuel tax legislation. In recent days the Road Haulage Association has lobbied the Chancellor of the Exchequer to withhold a planned 2p a litre rise. Meanwhile Mr Robertson and SNP colleagues in Westminster are re-stating their case for the introduction of a Fuel Duty Regulator which the party has raised regularly with the Government. Such a regulator would effectively reduce fuel tax as oil prices rise, which would maintain the value of government fuel taxes at the same level but offer some relief to businesses and consumers. Commenting on the situatioin Mr Robertson said: “ Motorists and the road haulage industry are getting a raw deal, and the Chancellor must rule out the planned April duty increase. “ As one of the world’s biggest oil producers it’s absurd that we are also the hardest hit by high pump prices. For many, particularly in rural Scotland, a car is a necessity not a luxury, and our haulage industry is especially vulnerable to sky high prices. “ Alistair Darling must listen to the chorus of voices from industry and individuals who are demanding a freeze, but, frankly, the decision should not be left to the whim of Downing Street. A fuel duty regulator, as the SNP have proposed, would see a double protection for motorists and the road haulage industry. " First, higher oil prices would trigger an automatic freeze in fuel duty rates. And second, any extra cash raised from VAT on petrol or diesel as a result of the higher pump prices would go back into an equivalent cut in fuel duty. " It is also important to remember that lower fuel prices do not necessarily mean increased reliance on cars. Many other European countries have significantly lower fuel costs but much better usage of public transport. " Here in Moray public transport is not an option for many people and increased costs for hauliers inevitably impact on prices for basic goods and services."
MAJOR TAX CREDITS PROBLEMS CONTINUE
Posted on Monday, February 11 2008
Moray MP Angus Robertson has expressed his ongoing concern at the failure by the government to resolve the major administrative problems that have dogged the Tax Credits system since its introduction 5 years ago.The Scottish National Party MP for Moray has received a steady stream of complaints about overpayments, delays and maladministration by the government of the Tax Credits system over recent years and it continues to feature heavily in his constituency mailbag and at surgeries.The latest report from the House of Commons Public Accounts Select Committee has heaped further criticism on the system which is still leaving the poorest families with overpayments caused largely by a dysfunctional computer system which results in demands for repayment of amounts that can often be several thousands of pounds.Commenting on the report the SNP's Mr Robertson said:" I am still receiving numerous and complex complaints from constituents about the Tax Credits system." The main issue is usually overpayments that have been made by the Tax Credits Office to constituents, who are unaware that the amount is wrong and they then receive letters demanding repayment." When a claimant provides all of the information required and an overpayment is made without the knowledge of the claimant it is totally unreasonable to demand repayments that can amount to thousands of pounds." This issue frequently affects low earning households who are on very tight budgets and can cause a huge amount of distress and worry." At a time when we are constantly hearing about the so-called 'credit crunch' and rising debt this is the last thing that people need dropping on their doormat." Some overdue changes have been made within the last couple of weeks but we are 5 years into this system and the continuing level of problems and complaints is completely unacceptable." Not only does it affect claimants but the failures within the system clearly have a demoralising effect on Revenue staff who have to try and resolve difficult cases of customers at their wits end."
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