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Thursday, 21st August 2008

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Glasgow East by-election: SNP seizes on warning of fuel cost surge



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THE rising cost of living dominated the Glasgow East by-election yesterday after warnings of massive increases in gas prices.
An independent report commissioned by energy group Centrica suggesting prices could rise up to 70 per cent was seized on by the SNP, which has made rising costs, in particular for power and fuel, a campaign theme.

Its candidate, John Mason, who is seeking to overturn a 13,500 Labour majority next Thursday, earlier in the campaign called on Alistair Darling, the Chancellor, to implement an eight-point plan to tackle fuel poverty.

Mr Mason said yesterday's report reinforced the call.

Margaret Curran, the Labour candidate, vowed to stand up for the elderly over the problems they face if she wins the seat made vacant by the resignation on health grounds of Labour MP David Marshall.

"I know the cost of living means we are all feeling the pinch, right across the world, so we must protect the most vulnerable," said Mrs Curran.



The full article contains 175 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

 
1

truthsleuth,

19/07/2008 01:06:03
Fuel poverty will not be helped by cutting the cost of fuel used in transport doing this will promote demand in this the most wasteful sector.
It would be far more fair and sensible to maintain tax income in the transport sector and direct any help to the home sector. This could be done by providing a allocation of 'cheap' energy to each person in a household and charging a higher rate for units above the 'basic' level. This extra charge should be used to pay for the basic price reduction.

It would be very difficult to operate a similar system in the transport sector without some form of 'rationing'.

However a possible system for the haulage industry would be to allow some form of tax relief for the longer distance freight they transfer to other modes. Journey length would be an important criteria.

All these systems would be attacked by those who think themselves likely to 'lose' but that the way of the world and some very hard decisions are facing the nation.

Perhaps it is time to take the easier steps and face up to the extreme promoters of the roads which could reduce the severity of these hard decisions.

A first step would be to reduce the maximum speed on motorways and dual carriageways. Reducing from 70mph to 50mph would reduce average fuel consumption by 10% at least and produce other cost savings. Furthermore the capacity of a road/mway is increased at lower speeds so congestion would be reduced.

The days of freedom of the highway are over it is this mistaken 'freedom' that has brought us to this state and unfortunately


2

Coileach an taobh Tuath,

19/07/2008 01:07:04

"I know the cost of living means we are all feeling the pinch, right across the world, so we must protect the most vulnerable,"

Margaret Curran.



Pass the vomit bucket

3

Guga II,

Rockall 19/07/2008 02:48:09
#2. Yes, another New Labour Sleaze and Corruption Party millionaire "feeling the pinch". I'll bet she cried all the way to the bank with her latest expenses cheque.

I wonder too, if she gets elected, whether she'll also charge the taxpayer £500,000 for using her front room as an office?
4

The Tin Man,

19/07/2008 07:39:59
A 70% rise in electricity and gas prices sounds about right, judging from recent rises in other countries.

I guess that the Eight Point Plan would not be funded by the proposed LIT tax cut.
5

donald anderson it's me,

weegieland 19/07/2008 08:48:43
It's Engerland's Oil!
6

Yok Finney,

Ross-shire 19/07/2008 10:19:18
We could have (or had) public utilities or commercial companies regulated for the common good. Either way works as the same people would be employed. Instead, we've this global energy caper where domestic and local business gets charged what they can pay and big users like Tesco get a discount. Once you've a monopoly. Then you can sack engineers, technicians and charge people more for a poorer service. And if folk complain there's no longer a local billing service, it's been subcontracted to somewhere else on the planet. The super-rich aye club together and it needs democracy, a parliament and independence to remedy this.
7

The Tin Man,

19/07/2008 13:00:52
#6 Yok Finney

Vote SNP for nationalised utilities.
8

,

19/07/2008 14:18:47
Comment Removed By Administrator
Reason:
9

The Tin Man,

19/07/2008 15:08:28
#8

Vote SNP for your personal details to be posted on the internet.
10

Scottish 'N British,

19/07/2008 19:17:56
No credible party supports the idea of energy nationalisation.






 

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