Rural petrol and diesel price cut extended

More areas eligible for a fuel rebate from the Government.

The Government has extended its rural fuel rebate scheme to a further 17 areas across the UK.

Around 125,000 people living in the selected regions, ranging from the Highlands to Devon, will benefit from a 5p per litre price cut on the cost of fuel.

Cars are more of a necessity in the countryside in order to get around. But fuel is often more expensive compared to towns and cities.

While the UK’s most rural islands already get a discount, this is the first time that the EU has approved a cut anywhere in mainland Europe. 

Selected areas

The new areas which will benefit from the Government’s fuel rebate scheme include:

• IV54 (Highland – Scotland)
• IV26 (Highland – Scotland)
• IV27 (Highland – Scotland)
• NE48 (Northumberland – England)
• PH41 (Highland – Scotland)
• KW12 (Highland – Scotland)
• PA80 (Argyll and Bute – Scotland)
• PH36 (Highland – Scotland)
• IV22 (Highland – Scotland)
• PA38 (Argyll and Bute – Scotland)
• PH23 (Highland – Scotland)
• PH19 (Highland – Scotland)
• IV21 (Highland – Scotland)
• LA17 (Cumbria – England)
• EX35 (Devon – England)
• IV14 (Highland – Scotland)
• Hawes (North Yorkshire – England)

Fuel retailers within these areas are entitled to register with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to claim back 5p per litre duty relief on the purchase of unleaded petrol and diesel.

Firms are entitled to claim the relief from HMRC on a monthly basis.

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How the areas were picked

The new areas to benefit from the fuel rebate scheme were picked based on three criteria.

First, pump prices had to exceed the lowest pump price compared to areas already in the scheme. Fuel also had to have been transported over 100 miles by road from the nearest refinery and population density had to be no higher than any area in the current scheme.

Areas that did not fulfil these criteria were not included in the application, as the Government considered them to be unlikely to receive approval from the EU.

Cut your fuel costs, no matter where you live

If you don't live in one of the rural areas in line for a cut, don't worry - there are still plenty of things you can do to reduce the amount that you spend on petrol and diesel.

Read How to find cheaper diesel and petrol for more.

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