HIGH FUEL PRICES

That this House is concerned that the Government is failing to mitigate high fuel prices; notes the financial pain that fuel poverty is causing people, especially in regions with large rural areas and a lack of large supermarkets; acknowledges that this problem is exacerbated by differential pricing practices from large retailers; further notes with concern that high fuel prices can bring particular problems for the elderly and young people, causing them to become socially and economically dislocated; further notes that excessive fuel prices hurt local businesses, are inimical to growth and that lowering the cost of duty would be revenue-neutral for HM Treasury; further acknowledges that fuel prices in Northern Ireland are particularly high; and calls on the Government to alleviate the burden for those struggling with the soaring cost of petrol.