Following the budget statement SDLP South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has criticised the Chancellor for refusing to take action to lower fuel prices.

Ms Ritchie has said that rather than prioritising lower tax rates for high earners the Chancellor should have focused on growing the real economy, starting with mitigation measures against record fuel prices.

She stated: "The problem of high fuel prices is particularly striking in Northern Ireland where, since the turn of the year, we have the highest diesel prices in Europe and higher overall prices than any other region in the UK or Ireland. Duty prices must be lowered to mitigate the rising cost of imported fuel. Ultimately more should be done to temper this reliance on a volatile commodity but short term measures are necessary to help those in need now.

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"It is hurting our people and our economy. How is a young person expected to go out and find work if they are being priced out of the market to drive a car? The prices are also damaging the very businesses that could be providing extra jobs in our communities. The evidence from the recent CEBR report has shown that cutting duty prices would be self financing and the Chancellor has missed the perfect opportunity to boost the local economy.

"The impact of inaction will not just be economic but also social and many people in rural areas such as my own constituency rely on their car to visit family and friends. Current fuel prices are leaving people economically and socially isolated. This is what the Chancellor should have focused on rather than needless tax cuts for high earners."

(CD/GK)