Letter: Fuel duty irony

IT IS ironic that the government, after increasing fuel duty and VAT, having taken away with one hand, is looking at the possibility of giving something back with the other by a fuel discount for remote communities (Perspective, 18 January).

There really should be consistency in policy matters such as this. It is also likely that huge amounts of additional tax are being raised on fuel with no doubt only a very small amount being refunded by the discounts.

It is essential that people are given every encouragement to live and work in these areas and provide viable communities big enough to support schools, businesses and other services.

The fuel duty discount has all the hallmarks of an offer being made to provide a sticking plaster by the person who caused the injury in the first place.

These proposals do not address the underlying and urgent problems facing remote communities.

Colin Clark

Pagan Osborne

Catherine Street

Cupar