MP welcomes fuel duty freeze but wants 5p cut

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has welcomed the news that the Chancellor has agreed to freeze fuel duty but he is working for a fuel duty cut through a fuel derogation scheme.

George Osborne promised to freeze fuel duty until May 2015 earlier this week. Tim has welcomed this but called on the government to also back his fuel derogation scheme which would cut petrol by 5p a litre.

Tim has previously written to the Chancellor and lobbied the Prime Minister on the issue and asked them to make sure Cumbria is involved in any future scheme. In August the government launched a consultation on a fuel derogation area for Cumbria, which is similar to that already used in the Scottish islands. The plan is designed to prevent rural drivers paying a premium for fuel.

Tim said: "For the last three years I have fought to try and cut fuel prices for people in Cumbria. In rural areas like ours, a car is not a luxury, it is a necessity of life. Fuel costs are a major issue for families and I am pushing hard to try and make the government act. The government have made some welcome moves and this is another - but freezes are not enough, we need a cut. I'll keep pushing to make this happen."