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Extend fuel discount scheme to rural North, says CLAThe CLA is calling for a reduction in fuel prices in rural areas of Northern England as a new rural fuel derogation pilot gets underway in the Highlands and the Isles of Scilly.Residents and businesses in the Highlands and Islands and the Isles of Scilly have been benefitting from a 5p per litre cut in fuel prices since the beginning of this month (March). Now, in the run up to the Budget on 21 March, the CLA in the North wants local rural businesses and communities to benefit from an extension of the scheme. CLA North Policy and Public Affairs Director Douglas Chalmers said: "Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has already written to the Chancellor asking him to announce a similar scheme in Cumbria, but there are large remote areas across the entire North that would benefit from this. "In the run-up to the Budget there is much discussion on how we can stimulate our economy. Rural-based businesses are significantly disadvantaged by being further from road and rail networks and often with poorer broadband availability. Raw materials in, and products out have further to travel, and most people are dependent on private transport. A 5p cut would go a long way to improving their competiveness." FairFuelUK has published a report conducted by the Centre for Economic and Business Research which suggests that a 2.5p cut in fuel duty, rather than costing the treasury, would stimulate the economy and create up to 175,000 jobs. In addition, it would boost GDP by 0.33 percent. Douglas added: "We mustn't forget that a reduction in fuel duty would also have a direct affect on everyone who lives in rural communities. At a time when families really are counting their pennies, living in an area where services and jobs are further away, and there is little public transport, this one change would make a tremendous difference to families as well as businesses." |
Contact Douglas Chalmers
Douglas is from an Aberdeenshire farming family and trained as an animal nutritionist after graduating from the University of Aberdeen. He held technical and management positions in the agricultural supply industry for 20 years prior to joining the CLA in 2001 as North West Regional Director. He is a Governor of Myerscough College and a member of Cumbria Local Access Forum. He was previously Chairman of Cumbria Fells & Dales RDPE Local Action Group and Vice Chairman of the North West Rural Affairs Forum. Douglas and his wife own a small farm near Appleby-in-Westmorland keeping Herdwick sheep and free-range poultry, and where he has helped his wife to form Learning Fields, a Community Interest Company and care farming enterprise offering educational and environmental activities. He is also a member of Eden Time Bank. T: 01748 907070 F: 01748 907075 douglas.chalmers@cla.org.uk Have a problem - need advice? North Office Aske Stables
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