Local MP, John Lamont, has raised the issue of rising red diesel prices with the Secretary of State for Energy, Kwasi Kwarteng.
Mr Lamont raised the issue after being contacted by farmers, fishermen and businesses who have been affected. There were also rumours of a shortage at Grangemouth which was leading to even higher prices.
Mr Kwarteng praised John Lamont for consistently raising constituents’ interests and urged him to speak with his department.
The Borders MP spoke with the Energy Minister, Greg Hands MP, afterwards to seek further assurances.
Mr Hands made it clear that there was no shortage but producers are facing unprecedented demand due to business concerns about rising prices.
To deal with demand, local suppliers are now given diesel on an allocation basis. Similarly, payments will also now be on a rateable basis across the course of a month to ensure there is no benefit to stockpiling, which would drive up prices more.
Petroineos, based at Grangemouth, have said there are no shortages and production is operating normally.
John Lamont MP said:
“Businesses in the Borders are rightly concerned about this rise in red diesel prices, and the difficulties of getting deliveries.
“Similarly, fishermen in Eyemouth have made it very clear as to the difficulties these price rises mean for the running costs of their vessels.
“I have made these issues very clear with the Secretary of State and the Energy Minister.
“Energy price rises is a global issue and is being made worse by Putin’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine.”
