Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of increasing the rebate provided under the Rural Fuel Duty Relief Scheme in line with inflation.

The Rural Fuel Duty Relief Scheme has provided a 5p reduction to motorists buying fuel in certain areas since its introduction in 2012, with the rate remaining unchanged during that time. The areas included in the scheme demonstrate certain characteristics such as: pump prices much higher than the UK average; remoteness leading to high fuel transport costs from refinery to filling station, and; relatively low sales meaning that retailers cannot benefit from bulk discounts.

The Government carefully considers the impact of fuel duty on households and businesses, with decisions on rates made at fiscal events.