Catherine McKinnell MP, Labour’s Shadow Economic Secretary, responding to the Government’s fuel duty announcement, said:

“I hope this announcement will mean some relief for drivers in these areas - although even for this small number of communities there’s no guarantee of any help with the cost of living crisis any time soon.”

“And the rising cost of living we have seen under this Government is affecting families in across the whole UK - not just these ten small areas. After three damaging years of flat-lining, working people are over £1,500 a year worse off under this Tory-led government.

“8 out of 10 of these areas have Liberal Democrat MPs – including two in Danny Alexander’s own constituency. The public will want to be reassured this is no more than a coincidence because nobody will thank a Lib Dem Treasury Minister who refuses to tackle the cost of living crisis everywhere but his own back yard.”