Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

Alan Reid Excerpts
Tuesday 24th January 2012

(12 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Danny Alexander Portrait Danny Alexander
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Once again, the hon. Lady is wrong in her economic policy pronouncements. The Office for Budget Responsibility has the UK growing more slowly this year, but faster than countries in the eurozone in the next few years. That is a testament to the Government’s economic policies. If she wants to know who is at least partly responsible for the mess that the country is in, she should just look immediately to her left. It has come to something when Katie Price’s tweets make more sense about the economy than Labour Front Benchers.

Alan Reid Portrait Mr Alan Reid (Argyll and Bute) (LD)
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The economy in our islands will be greatly helped by the reduction in fuel duty that the Government are introducing. Will my right hon. Friend update the House on progress towards introducing that fuel duty discount?

Danny Alexander Portrait Danny Alexander
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I am grateful for the opportunity to do that. The fuel duty discount will come into force for customers, including on the islands in my hon. Friend’s constituency, from 1 March. That will reduce the cost of fuel by 5p a litre in the most remote island communities, reflecting the fact that they have the highest cost. The scheme has been open to retailers to register for it since 1 January, and I am pleased to report that almost every retailer has already signed up.