Fuel Tax to Increase

In Search of Hope – by Sam Gannon

Seconded to the parish of Tililngdon, the Reverend Dolores has been presented with a challenge.

She’s living in an antiquated house and she’s cold. Furthermore, her new Bishop, Bishop Alice does not approve of ‘showgirls in dog collars.’

Determined to prove the Bishop wrong, she sets about warming her house – who cares if it smells of horse! There is the crochet club, jumble sale, and soup run to organise. And this year, the church bells will ring, no matter what threats are made. Even more so, the newly formed choir will spread a little joy this Christmas, even though they can’t sing – yet! And with a little help from Phil, her bassist, this year could be full of magic.

However, she has a fight on her hands as the townies out in Knob Hill – she must stop calling it that, are trying to stop her from ringing her bells. When Krystal with a K decides to do some volunteer work, Dolores sets out to see just how committed she really is.

Up to her ears in granny squares and squawking choristers, Dolores is revving up for Christmas, yet a deeper darker secret is beginning to emerge!

A secret that could blow the whole parish apart and put Dolores in danger.

(available from Amazon)

The rates of the Tax on Petroleum Products and Energy Consumption (ISP) in the Autonomous Region of Madeira will increase from Monday, January 19th, by decision of the Regional Government, through the Regional Secretariats of Economy and Finance.

At issue is the publication of Ordinance No. 10/2026, of 15th of January, which succeeds Ordinance No. 849/2025, of 23rd of December, which was in effect from the 29th of December 2025.

According to the published diploma, the tax on unleaded 95 gasoline rises from 472.00 euros to 474.65 euros per thousand litres, an increase of 2.65 euros per thousand litres. For road diesel, the rate goes up from 324.60 euros to 327.14 euros per thousand litres, an increase of 2.54 euros. Colored and marked diesel, meanwhile, sees a rise from 60.89 euros to 63.33 euros per thousand litres, or 2.44 euros more.

Converted to the final consumer, the increase in the tax translates into an approximate increase of 0.24 to 0.27 cents per litre, depending on the fuel.

According to the Regional Government, this update is part of a gradual easing of mitigation measures introduced in response to rising fuel prices. In the ordinance’s preamble, the Regional Executive explains that the goal is to balance protecting families and businesses with encouraging more sustainable consumption patterns that align with changes in the energy market.

The Regional Government will approve today the maximum retail prices of fuels to be in force in the Autonomous Region of Madeira, starting at 0:00 am on Monday. According to a later article, fuel prices decrease from midnight tomorrow. However, the decrease is somewhat negligible.

In the Autonomous Region of Madeira, the retail prices of unleaded petrol IO95, road diesel, and coloured and marked diesel are regulated under a maximum public sale price set by the Regional Government.

To set the values, the Madeiran Executive resorts to a formula that takes into account several factors, such as import fees, transport and storage costs, as well as Tax on Petroleum Products (ISP) and Value Added Tax (VAT).

The maximum retail prices for fuels are defined and published weekly in an official order of the Regional Government, usually on Friday, to be in force from zero o’clock on the following Monday.

Samantha Gannon

info at madeira-weekly.com

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