The SNP Member of Parliament for Glasgow East, John Mason, is calling on the UK Government to scrap next week's planned 2p increase in fuel duty, warning that the price hike could hinder economic recovery.

The East End MP has vigorously opposed previous fuel price rises, with the high cost of petrol and diesel having been a major issue in the Glasgow East by-election at which he was elected.

With fuel prices once again over one pound per litre, John Mason believes that, for less-well-off families and for small businesses across the City of Glasgow, the planned tax hike will put yet more pressure on stretched budgets.

Speaking ahead of the next week's proposed tax increase, John Mason said: "Pushing up fuel prices is the wrong thing to do in the middle of a recession, and this planned fuel tax increase could actually hinder economic recovery.

"Just when the UK government should be stimulating the economy, the Treasury is intent on slapping another 2p on the price of petrol and diesel - hitting already hard-pressed households and small businesses.

"Fuel duty now accounts for about 71 pence of every pound the motorist spends at the pump, and for many people in my constituency this is a severe financial burden.

"Increases in fuel duty are not a green tax, they are a Brown one, and people across Scotland have had their fill of Labour's fuel duty increases.

"On the back of an income tax hike that affected the lowest paid, any further tax increase would be simply scandalous."