Freight Industry Sigh of Relief

The Freight Transport Association, together with other Drivers’ and Freight organisations, has welcomed the Chancellor’s decision to postpone the projected January increase in fuel duty.

The price of diesel has risen by over 13ppl (13.9 per cent) in the last year, representing an extra £1.4 billion cost to road freight operators, so the decision will be a great relief to many operators. Earlier this month in a House of Commons debate sparked by a government e-Petition, the Treasury heard from backbench MPs across the main political parties of how  freight businesses, hauliers, logistics suppliers and other businesses in their constituencies have suffered through the highest fuel duty in the EU.

However, the Freight Transport Association said that the Chancellor should have been bolder, and also ruled out the projected rise in August.