The Liberal Democrats were accused last night of using public money to garner votes after it emerged that more than 80 per cent of places to benefit from a new fuel subsidy will be in their own seats . Treasury chief secretary Danny Alexander said 17 rural areas would benefit from a 5p a litre cut in fuel duty after a scheme – funded by the British taxpayer – was signed off by the European Commission . But 14 are in Lib Dem seats , including two in Mr Alexander ’ s own constituency in the Scottish Highlands . Labour suggested there should be an inquiry into so-called ‘ pork barrel politics ’ by the Lib Dems , who also boast of channelling cash for roads and schools to their own seats . Mr Alexander , MP for Inverness , Nairn , Badenoch and Strathspey , has faced repeated claims that he is shoring up votes in his seat with increased spending while imposing cutbacks elsewhere . In the past , cash has been found for a tax break for ski lifts , a bailout for a sleeper train from London to Scotland and green levies scrapped for a tourist train in the Cairngorms . In January , Nick Clegg announced plans for a £300million ‘ city deal ’ for Inverness , including £2million to promote Loch Ness and its mythical monster to tourists . Shadow Treasury chief secretary Chris Leslie suggested the deals should be investigated by the Commons public accounts committee to see if they represent value for money . At the pumps : Treasury chief secretary Danny Alexander said 17 rural areas would benefit from a 5p a litre cut in fuel duty after a scheme – funded by the British taxpayer – was signed off by the European Commission . Mr Leslie said : ‘ While I ’ m sure there are many living in rural areas who would love a fuel duty cut , it seems more than a coincidence that this is largely restricted to Danny Alexander ’ s backyard and those of his small band of Lib Dem colleagues . ‘ Taken together with the very convenient tax break for his local ski lift , there ’ s something very fishy about these decisions , and perhaps the public accounts committee ought to investigate. ’ Nick Clegg has promised to create a Cornish Assembly in a bid to shore up his party ’ s vote in the county . The Deputy Prime Minister ( right ) made the pledge as he yesterday embarked on a tour of the key Lib Dem battleground . The party is desperately trying to avoid a wipeout in the county where it once held all six seats . Currently , three of the area ’ s MPs are Lib Dems . Mr Clegg said that he would create a Cornish Assembly , similar to that in Wales , which could allow the Cornish to choose different rules to the rest of England in areas potentially relating to second home ownership and bus services . But the plans dismissed as ‘ ill-considered ’ and a ‘ nonsense ’ by Cornish nationalists . Mr Clegg said : ‘ When the Cornish Assembly is born , it would be up to those who are elected to shape Cornwall ’ s destiny . 'We could change planning law and council tax so buying up second homes in Cornwall comes with a greater price. ’ Nine areas benefiting from the new ‘ rural fuel rebate ’ are in the Ross , Skye and Lochaber constituency of former Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy who is facing a desperate fight with the SNP to hang on to his seat . Two are in Mr Alexander ’ s seat , and another two are in the constituency of his Lib Dem neighbour John Thurso . Another beneficiary is Lynton , North Devon , in the constituency of former Lib Dem defence minister Sir Nick Harvey , and one of only four seats in England to benefit . Others are in Cumbria , Northumberland and North Yorkshire . Mr Alexander said the move will help up to 125,000 people in areas faced with some of the highest fuel prices in the country . It is the first time the European Union has approved a fuel discount for people living on the UK mainland . Currently , islanders off the coast of Scotland and in the Isles of Scilly are eligible for a 5p discount on petrol and diesel because the cost of transporting fuel there means pump prices are much higher . The scheme will be extended to 17 mainland areas at the end of May . A source close to Mr Alexander denied the scheme was designed to favour Lib Dem seats . He said the selection process had been ‘ evidence-based ’ . ‘ This is testament to how hard Danny has fought and campaigned on this issue over many years , ’ he said . ‘ Danny represents a rural community with many remote areas and so he knows first-hand the extra financial burden this puts on families and businesses facing high fuel costs while relying on cars to travel long distances . ’
Danny Alexander says 17 rural areas will benefit from drop in fuel duty . European Commission signs off scheme funded by British taxpayers . 14 are in Lib Dem seats , including two in Mr Alexander 's constituency . Labour suggests there should be an inquiry into 'pork barrel politics '