Allister hits out at fuel and rates hikes

In a statement, Mr. Allister said: “As rates bill arrive many households are aghast at the increases in the district rate, which in Ballymena and Ballymoney are running well above both the NI average and the rate of inflation. In Ballymoney we’re seeing a 7.46% hike and in Ballymena, 6.91%. Such increases are more than what many families can bear.

“At the same time the almost daily increases in fuel prices are hitting everyone, not just at the pumps but in retail prices as the extra transport costs are passed on to the hapless consumer. Excessive Fuel Duty rates of the order of 80p per litre means the Government has its hand deep into every motorist’s pocket. Likewise, I fear, we are seeing a lack of international action to peg back oil prices. The weak pound is compounding the situation.

“Our weakened economy under Labour, evidenced very dramatically in the fall in our currency, is playing through in the oil prices, demonstrating that tackling our broken economy and fiscal management, as a key task of the next Parliament, will impact on the spending power of every family.

“But, additionally, there must be a lower tax take on fuel to ensure that the British motorist is best protected from any future shocks on oil prices. The high price of fuel erodes the competitiveness of British industry and costs jobs. TUV will lobby to ensure that British motorists pay a more reasonable price for fuel, which is particularly important in rural Northern Ireland where inadequate public transport makes car dependency unavoidable.”