Alan Reid, Liberal Democrat MP for Argyll & Bute, criticised the Chancellor for increasing fuel duty by 3p a litre in today's Budget.

Mr Reid said, "This increase in fuel duty, on top of the recent steep rise in the price of fuel, is a severe blow to drivers in rural areas where there is no alternative to the car. The Chancellor's decision to phase the increase in over nine months is of little help.

"Instead of crudely putting up fuel duty across the whole country, the Government should follow the example of other European countries and levy a reduced rate of fuel duty in remote rural areas where there is no alternative to the car."