Alex Neil

SNP MSP Alex Neil today branded Scottish Labour's silence on high oil prices affecting public services and businesses across Scotland "New Labour's New Taboo" as they "shun responsibility" for supporting vital Scottish industries and public services.

His comments come after Alastair Darling's denial of an oil windfall and Wendy Alexander's refusal to mention the price rises or the impact they are having.

Mr Neil said: "With accountants Grant Thornton reporting a windfall to the Treasury of £1.1 billion since May and Government figures showing the Treasury will make an additional £4-5 billion in oil revenues this year, the silence of Scottish Labour is obscene.

"Across Scotland vital public services, farmers, fishermen, hauliers and manufacturers are all seeing the price of fuel go through the roof. And the knock on effect has seen food prices shoot up for hard working families. Businesses are becoming unsustainable, councils are having to divert funding and yet Labour refuses to see any problem.

"The silence from Labour in Scotland is deafening. If Scottish Labour really wants to stand up for people in Scotland they should be lobbying their UK colleagues for a change in the system and a share of the windfall.

"English MP and former Transport Minister Stephen Ladyman has managed to speak out. So why are Scotland's Labour MSPs so silent?

"The First Minister's call for 10% of the windfall to come to Scotland and help establish a fund to help insure public services and essential industries against rising costs offers a sensible way forward. Likewise the SNP's proposed fuel price regulator would deliver stability to oil prices in the future. Yet Labour in Scotland have absolutely nothing to say on this serious matter.

"The Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Road Hauliers Association, the National Farmers Union, Fishing organisations and the Taxi federation have all raised concerns over fuel costs.

"They have called for an abandonment of the forthcoming duty increase and for action to alleviate the financial pain their members currently face. Instead of listening to these calls Labour have turned their faces to the wall.

"With this kind of wilful ignorance of the most significant issue affecting Scotland's families and businesses today, it is no wonder voters are rejecting Labour and turning to the SNP as the only credible alternative to Labour in Scotland."

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