Gibbons calls for cancellation of petrol tax hike

Mark Gibbons of Sinn Fein Rostrevor, has called for the devolution of tax duty powers and criticized the proposed three pence rise in fuel duty scheduled for August. “The escalating price of petrol at the pumps is placing the vast majority of people in Rostrevor and elsewhere under severe financial pressure,” he said.

“The price of petrol is at an all time high”, Mr Gibbons continued. “The ongoing increases have had a detrimental affect on people who are unable to run their family cars. This creates obstacles in relation to their work and participation in community activities and puts an uncompromising stranglehold on everyday life. The cost of heating homes, an absolute necessity for the elderly and those who are in ill health, who are already suffering from the harsh realities of fuel poverty, is also a massive issue.”

He added, “The present tax burden has become so high that not alone is it causing severe hardship but also significantly adding to the ever increasing unemployment figures. The effects of the three pence rise on fuel will be felt even harder in rural communities where the public transport infrastructure is not sufficient and people rely on their cars. We already pay some of the highest fuel costs in Europe, and with the ever-increasing rise in deaths due to fuel poverty, I would urgently call on the Stormont Executive to start negotiations with the British Government regarding the devolution of fuel duty powers.”

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Posted by Newry Times News on Jun 12 2012. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry