The rural fuel rebate scheme was extended to 17 new areas from May 31. It enables retailers to provide a discount of 5ppl in remote areas. It is the first time the EU has approved a fuel discount on the UK mainland, it was formerly only available on the UK’s most rural islands.

Rural rebate extended

Cash machine blown up

A cash machine on a Dorset forecourt has been blown apart in a failed attempt to steal its contents. Residents near the Esso-branded Highland Service Station, on Ashley Road, Poole, were woken by the explosion at about 3.20am on Thursday, May 21.

Tax swoop on car wash

A car wash is among businesses that have fallen foul of tax rules after a clampdown by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in Essex on businesses and people who try to stay outside the tax system. An HMRC Hidden Economy Team found it had failed to register for tax and is estimated to owe more than £250,000, including £120,000 in Income Tax and National Insurance for its employees and £78,000 in VAT.

Lorry driver loo petition

Blue Arrow, one of the UK’s largest recruiters of lorry drivers, has warned that poor toilet facilities are making it difficult to recruit new drivers, and could even be compromising road safety. The company has released an online petition aimed at the Department for Transport, challenging it to set and enforce minimum standards for lorry drivers’ toilet facilities across the UK.

LPG firms lobby minister

The UK’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas trade association (UKLPG) is calling on the new air quality minister to support new research indicating that automotive LPG could play a significant role in the transport sectorto 2050.