Written Question · S3W-12443 · Session 3
What measures it is taking to assist rural communities in coping with high fuel costs for both household heating and vehicles.
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive what measures it is taking to assist rural communities in coping with high fuel costs for both household heating and vehicles.
The answer
The Scottish Government is deeply concerned about the impact that high fuel prices are having upon rural communities. This issue was discussed with UK Government Ministers at Ofgem''s fuel poverty summit on 23 April 2008.
The central heating and warm deal programmes which we inherited from the previous administration set out to help with domestic heating costs by reducing the amount of fuel needed to keep the home warm. Our internal review of these programmes is nearing completion and we will share its outcomes with the Parliament shortly.
Higher fuel prices represent a significant cost burden upon rural communities and businesses; such as agriculture, the road haulage industry and the wider economy. The Scottish Government continues to press for introduction of a fuel duty regulator which would see greater protection for motorists and the road haulage industry.
We are also aware that the high price of fuel is currently causing great concern to the fishing industry and a five-point plan of action to help counter the effects of rising fuel costs was agreed between the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment and industry representatives on Monday. As part of this plan, the Scottish Government will establish a task force to develop steps to help the industry, meet with the UK Government to discuss impact of fuel prices, continue to press the EU for a level playing field on subsidies, and work with industry to develop a fuel efficiency scheme. We have already committed £300,000 to extending payment of the warranty for vessel monitoring systems, and further immediate help will be provided with £400,000 for the annual maintenance of life raft costs on every vessel in Scotland.
The central heating and warm deal programmes which we inherited from the previous administration set out to help with domestic heating costs by reducing the amount of fuel needed to keep the home warm. Our internal review of these programmes is nearing completion and we will share its outcomes with the Parliament shortly.
Higher fuel prices represent a significant cost burden upon rural communities and businesses; such as agriculture, the road haulage industry and the wider economy. The Scottish Government continues to press for introduction of a fuel duty regulator which would see greater protection for motorists and the road haulage industry.
We are also aware that the high price of fuel is currently causing great concern to the fishing industry and a five-point plan of action to help counter the effects of rising fuel costs was agreed between the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment and industry representatives on Monday. As part of this plan, the Scottish Government will establish a task force to develop steps to help the industry, meet with the UK Government to discuss impact of fuel prices, continue to press the EU for a level playing field on subsidies, and work with industry to develop a fuel efficiency scheme. We have already committed £300,000 to extending payment of the warranty for vessel monitoring systems, and further immediate help will be provided with £400,000 for the annual maintenance of life raft costs on every vessel in Scotland.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S3W-12443 by reference.