Says Damian Hinds MP

I can understand why you are disappointed by the decision not to have an equestrian representative on the Independent Forestry Panel. However, I hope that those who do serve on the Panel will very much take into account the equestrian viewpoint and I shall be making this point to Ministers.

It is certainly the case that, during the controversy over the Government's earlier proposals, the needs of horse-riders (and cyclists) did receive additional attention and had their profile raised and that at least is a good thing.

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The Countryside Alliance has just produced the following statistics illustrating how a rural commuter's weekly fuel costs will be affected by the Budget.

Their conclusion: Rural commuters will still be paying more for their weekly fuel than they were at the beginning of the year.

Key Facts

• On average the rural commuter paid 52 per cent more in weekly fuel costs than the urban commuter in the first quarter of 2011
• This equates to £6.65 extra a week for a rural commuter or £345.80 every year
• Since the first quarter of 2010 to the first quarter of 2011 weekly fuel costs for rural commuters have risen by 15 per cent
• This equates to a £2.46 increase in the weekly fuel costs
• More than half of this increase occurred between the beginning of January to March 2011 where the fuel cost for the rural weekly commute increased by £1.24

Fuel cost post-Budget 2011

• The 1 pence cut in fuel duty will save drivers approximately 1 pence a litre at the pump
• Rural commuters will still be paying 47 pence more per week to get to work than they did in the first quarter of 2011

Alice Barnard, Chief Executive of the Countryside Alliance, said: "The cut in fuel duty is a token gesture. Unfortunately this does not change the price of fuel significantly and rural commuters will still be paying more to get to work than they were at the beginning of the year."

"High fuel prices and lower disposable incomes mean people living in the countryside are becoming even more isolated. A car is a necessity in rural areas, not a luxury. This Budget could and should have gone further to ease the fuel burden on ordinary families who are struggling."