Remote areas could get fuel discount but Treasury stalls on duty stabiliser

A Treasury minister has suggested that drivers in remote areas may benefit in from discounted fuel in a new pilot scheme, but conceded that the government's proposed fuel stabiliser was fraught with difficulties.

Danny Alexander, the Treasury chief secretary, dismissed the idea of scrapping the April fuel duty rise as his department were not prepared to 'sacrifice income willy nilly' to protect the nation's motorists.