Shetland is being ripped off - Scott (Dumbarton Liberal Democrats)

Dumbarton Liberal Democrats <anisbet@aniscon.com>

Shetland is being ripped off - Scott

October 16, 2008 11:53 AM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Leader of the Liberal Democrats in Scotland and local MSP Tavish Scott has demanded action to address the disproportionately high level of fuel prices in Shetland.

Oil price peaked over the summer at around $145 a barrel and at that time unleaded petrol in Shetland was 132.9p per litre. Since then the price per barrel has fallen to below $80 yet the pump price in Shetland has only fallen 8p to 124.9p per litre, when it should have dropped by more than twice as much

Commenting, Mr Scott said:

"It is hard to argue that Islanders are not being ripped off. The difference between Shetland prices and the mainland have widened. Mainland averages are now 107p a litre for unleaded. Shetland is still well over 120p. Someone is making money at the Islands' expense.

"I asked the Scottish Government to help with shipping costs of fuel to Shetland and the other Scottish islands but they refused. The Scottish Government is failing Scotland's Islands. So if the SIC can consider this idea they are to be commended.

"The Competition Authorities should get out of their complacent chairs and investigated this consumer rip-off. They seem happy to let banks merge, reducing competition on the high street, but are doing nothing about this petrol scam.

"Some Orkney garages are now sourcing their fuel from a different company and the pump price is now 8p per litre cheaper than Shetland. It seems that GB Fuels, the only company importing fuel to Shetland, is greatly inflating the price.

"There is an effective monopoly on Shetland's fuel. That means only one thing. Individual, families and businesses lose out while someone makes money at our expense."