EU go-ahead for mainland rural fuel rebate
The European Union has approved plans to extend a fuel duty discount currently enjoyed by some of the UK’s most rural island groups to 17 isolated areas in mainland Great Britain.
The changes come into force on 1 April, when fuel retailers in affected areas will be able to register for the rebate scheme, as provided for in the Hydrocarbon Oil and Biofuels (Road Fuel in Defined Areas) (Reliefs) (Amendment) Regulations 2015. Prices will then drop from 31 May, when retailers begin to claim back a five pence per litre duty relief on diesel and unleaded petrol, on a monthly basis.
The geographical areas affected are mainly defined by postcode district – the first half of the postcode – as at 3 March 2015. Post towns for each district are given in brackets.
Four areas of England are affected: the districts EX35 (Lynton/Lynmouth), LA17 (Kirkby-in-Furness) and NE48 (Hexham), and the part of district DL8 covered by the post town of Hawes.
In Scotland, the 13 districts affected are IV14 (Strathpeffer), IV21 (Gairloch), IV22 (Achnasheen), IV26 (Ullapool), IV27 (Lairg), IV54 (Strathcarron), KW12 (Halkirk), PA38 (Appin), PA80 (Oban), PH19 (Dalwhinnie), PH23 (Carrbridge), PH36 (Acharacle) and PH41 (Mallaig).
The rebate has applied to the Inner and Outer Hebrides, Northern Isles, Islands of the Clyde and Isles of Scilly since March 2012.
The approval process has been spearheaded by chief secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander – who said that the five pence per litre rebate would provide a “much-needed boost” for those facing the highest fuel prices.
