Plaid Cymru has reacted angrily after UK Government 'failed' to include Welsh regions in a scheme to help lower fuel bills in rural areas.
The application made by the UK Government included seventeen areas in the UK for a 5 pence per litre fuel duty discount, none of which included areas in Wales.
The Party of Wales has argued that Wales has some of the most rural areas of the UK, and should qualify for the scheme.
Plaid Cymru’s Shadow Minister for Sustainable Communities Llyr Gruffydd said that rural Wales has already been very badly hit by numerous decisions taken by both the Westminster Government and Welsh Government, such as decisions to cut the EU budget, to reduce CAP payments to Welsh farmers by a quarter of a billion pounds and a failure to support rural businesses.
Plaid Cymru’s Shadow Minister for Sustainable Communities Llyr Gruffydd said: “This is just another example of the Westminster parties neglecting to work in Wales’ best interests. Farm incomes fell by 24% last year, and farmers are facing extremely difficult economic condition.
“The UK Government has itself acknowledged that rural areas face added financial pressures, but they have failed to deliver for Wales on this matter.
“On top of this the Welsh Government has failed to support our rural communities. The Westminster parties voted to cut the CAP budget on a EU level, and in government Labour has failed to invest in broadband and mobile connectivity, or help rural businesses with their business rates.
“Rural Wales is being left behind by the UK parties, and it isn’t fair. Plaid Cymru is the only party that will fight for Wales’ needs at every opportunity.”
