Steve Welsh has raised the issue of fuel pricing in the Far North, where petrol and diesel prices at rural forecourts consistently exceed those in urban Scotland by significant margins — adding hundreds of pounds per year to the transport costs of households who depend on private vehicles for daily life. In a constituency where public transport options are limited and distances between communities are vast, the private car is not a luxury but a necessity, meaning that higher fuel prices have a disproportionate impact on household budgets. 'In Caithness and Sutherland, your car is your lifeline,' said Mr Welsh. 'Without it you cannot get to work, get your children to school, visit a GP, or reach a supermarket. When fuel costs significantly more here than in central Scotland, that is a real and direct financial penalty on rural life.' He called for a rural fuel duty rebate scheme similar to that already in place for island communities, which offsets part of the duty differential that contributes to higher rural prices. He also called for a review of fuel distribution costs and margins to ensure that remote communities are not paying an unreasonable premium. 'Reform UK will extend fuel duty relief to all remote and rural communities in the Far North. Living at the top of Scotland should not cost you more than living in the centre of it.'
Local News11 Mar 2026