An Angus MP has claimed the region will be one of the areas hit hardest by the UK Government’s failure to introduce a fuel duty stabiliser.
He added, “The government has gone back on its word and absolutely nothing is being done for the haulier. They promise you the world and then when they get in they couldn’t care less.
“If you’ve built up a business over the years there is nothing worse than seeing it diminishing because of something like this. It’s a nightmare, and the problem is that no-one is really keeping in touch with us about it.
“The Courier has already done more for hauliers in the north-east than any politician.”Courier’s callMeanwhile, the owner of a Fife taxi firm has pleaded with the UK Government to heed The Courier’s call for a fuel duty regulator.
William Donnelly, of B&Ms in Cupar, said he was “proud” to display our campaign stickers in each of his firm’s five cabs.
“This is a good thing The Courier is doing and I really hope it makes a difference,” the 42-year-old said.
“The current situation is getting ridiculous and it is putting a lot of pressure not just on my business but on small companies throughout Scotland.
“I have noticed a massive difference when filling up at the pumps in recent weeks where it used to cost around £40 it now comes in at more than £50.”
Mr Donnelly said a regulator which could knock several pence off the price of a litre would represent a “tremendous boost.”Expensive”Times are tough enough as it is without petrol prices continually rising,” he said. “I am in no doubt at all that a regulator such as the one suggested by The Courier would really help. Running five taxis is an expensive business.”
Mr Donnelly said rising prices at the pumps have left him facing a near-impossible situation.
“We have really got no option but to pass our increased costs on to the customer, which is not something anybody wants to do,” he continued. “I really hope the campaign is successful as there is no doubt something has to be done things cannot continue as they are.”
Mr Donnelly called on businesses and individuals to unite behind our campaign. He said, “I hope everybody sticks together and supports the campaign. All businesses are suffering at the moment and anything that can help is worth considering.”
Haulage chiefs, opposition politicians and the federation of small businesses have thrown their weight behind the campaign in recent weeks.
They say businesses of all sizes have been affected by rises and some firms will struggle to survive if a regulator is not introduced.
Hard-pressed families and individuals from rural areas and urban centres have been rushing to sign up proving that every section of society is being adversely affected by the high prices.If you want to support the Courier’s call for a fuel duty regulator, click here to add your name to our petition.Mike Weir and his SNP colleagues united with Wales’ Plaid Cymru at Westminister this week in a bid to get the coalition government to take action over spiralling fuel costs, but their motion was heavily defeated.
Mr Weir said the Conservatives’ failure to deliver on their pre-election pledge to implement a fuel duty regulator would signal yet more misery for rural communities, of which there are many in his constituency.
This was despite assurances from treasury minister Justine Greening that the government was in talks with the European Commission about introducing a pilot scheme that could see fuel prices reduced in remote areas.
However, it has been suggested this would be more likely to benefit island communities than those in rural parts of mainland Scotland.
Mr Weir said, “It seems clear from the minister’s speech that the Tories are abandoning the idea of a fuel duty stabiliser. They appear to be focusing on a remote areas fuel duty derogation, but very little action has been taken in pushing it forward and in any event is unlikely to help Angus.Damage”Ministers seem unable or unwilling to grasp that unless this issue is tackled real and long-term damage will be done to the rural economy and to local families.”
Some businesses in the county have already told us they are so crippled by rising costs they are teetering on the brink of extinction.
David Murray, who owns Carnoustie’s David Murray Transport, said he felt “betrayed” by the outcome of the debate.
A vehement supporter of our campaign, Mr Murray admitted last month he was considering “giving it all up” because it was becoming so difficult to make a profit despite the fact he has contracts with companies such as Strathmore Water and has been established for 25 years.