Graham Leadbitter has accused the UK Government of being “out of touch” after ministers rejected calls to freeze VAT on fuel prices during a Commons exchange on the cost of living crisis.

During a debate in the House of Commons, Leadbitter urged ministers to commit to action aimed at reducing fuel costs for households struggling with rising bills and transport costs.

The Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey MP argued that high fuel prices are hitting rural communities particularly hard where cars are often essential rather than optional.

According to Leadbitter, the Government refused to support a VAT freeze on fuel with the minister responding simply:

“I won’t commit to that, no”.

The SNP has repeatedly called for VAT on fuel to be removed for the duration of the energy and cost of living crisis.

Leadbitter also pointed to measures introduced in Ireland where the government reduced fuel duty by 32 cents per litre on diesel and 27 cents per litre on petrol as part of a wider €750 million support package.

Commenting afterwards, Leadbitter said:

“This government has absolutely no idea just how bad ordinary people have it at the moment, between rising energy bills, groceries, and prices at the pump.

“For people in my constituency car ownership isn’t a luxury but an absolute necessity.

“People living here, and in other rural areas, are being punished just for where they live.

“For this government to ignore that, and any suggestion that would ease the burden on households, shows how out of touch they are with the people they’re supposed to represent.

“Scotland is an energy powerhouse, yet it’s often the Highlands and North of Scotland that bears the brunt of high energy bills and fuel prices.

“That’s a result of our energy wealth being squandered and mismanaged by a Westminster system that only treats us as an afterthought.

“Scotland could do so much better with the full powers of independence, where we’d use our energy wealth to bring down bills and reinvest in our communities.”

Fuel prices and transport costs remain a major issue across the Highlands and Islands where public transport options can be limited and many households rely heavily on private vehicles for work, healthcare and day to day living.

The debate is likely to add further pressure around rural living costs and wider questions over energy policy, taxation and infrastructure investment across the north of Scotland.