Freight and haulage groups keep pressure on Treasury
Freight and haulage groups, alongside thousands of other motorists, are making a stand against rising fuel duty this week and putting further pressure on the Treasury to reduce the tax.
FairFuelUK, a campaign group set up by Peter Carroll to support the Road Haulage Industry and everyday road users, is to present a massive cheque to the Treasury in a symbolic protest against the amount the government takes in tax on every litre of fuel.
On Monday, March 14th, just a week before the Budget, the cheque for £26.2 billion, signed by Quentin Wilson on behalf of all motorists in the UK, will be presented to the government department.
This is the total fuel duty paid by hauliers and other road users each year in the UK.
With fuel prices now over £1.30 a litre across the UK and the government taking 58% of that, the freight industry is finding it increasingly difficult to keep costs down and motorists are looking for ways to reduce their fuel use and save money.
Fuel saving technology to monitor driving habits and help motorists be more eco-friendly and cost-effective behind the wheel go a long way to reducing the cost of driving, but a reduction at the pump would give a country-wide, more immediate result for all road users.
The FairFuelUK campaign has cross-party support from more than 100 MPs, but more can be done, explains Mr Carroll.
“With Budget day looming large we need to keep this issue well and truly in the spotlight. It is essential that we gain as much support for this campaign as is humanly possible in the time available. To make a difference, we need more.”
FairFuelUK is backed by the Road Haulage Association and the Freight Transport Association, as well as the RAC, together representing thousands of businesses and millions of motorists who are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of fuel.
“This is not a campaign about ‘sides’, it is about getting a fair deal for business, the motorist and, indeed, the general public concerned with the UK’s economic recovery,” Mr Carroll adds.
