Explanatory note

These Regulations, which come into force on 1st January 2012, provide for a partial relief from the excise duty charged on road fuel gas. The relief is allowed only in respect of road fuel gas that is charged with duty on or after that date, and before 1st August 2012.

The result of the application of the relief (which is provided in the form of a remission of part of the duty that is chargeable) is that the amount a person would otherwise be liable to pay in respect of excise duty on road fuel gas is reduced by the amounts specified in these Regulations: a person will therefore be liable to pay 24.70 pence per kilogram on natural road fuel gas and 31.61 pence per kilogram on other road fuel gas.

The rates of duty charged on road fuel gas are prescribed by section 8(3) of the Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979 (c. 5) (“the Oil Act”). Section 20(3) of the Finance Act 2011 (c.11) (“the Finance Act”) amended section 8(3) of the Oil Act so as to increase the rates of duty, with effect from 1st January 2012. The result of the application of the relief is that a person will pay the same amount as if section 20(3) of the Finance Act had not come into effect.

These Regulations replace Regulations made and laid earlier this year which contained errors in the figures.

A Tax Information and Impact Note covering this instrument will be published on the HMRC website at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/thelibrary/tiins.htm.