Palletline, condemns fuel duty
Kevin Buchanan, managing director of Palletline, has added his voice to the continuing chorus of discontent with UK government fuel duty policy coming from the haulage industry. “The country needs to recover from reckless spending, but reckless taxing is not the way to do it. Hauliers are being targeted because they do not have a voice in Westminster equal to their importance,” he commented adding:
“The Government only heeds big business, ignoring the fact that hauliers are vital to the UK economy. They serve, and are part of the backbone of the Britain – SMEs. These are the companies that employ and innovate and generate wealth. They depend on hauliers to survive and thrive in challenging times.
“Farmers have long enjoyed the benefit of reduced fuel costs, in red diesel. Hauliers deserve similar recognition – whether access to cheaper fuel on the forecourt for vehicles exceeding a certain size, or a simple VAT claim and rebate system.
“While huge sums of bailout money have made a one way trip to the continent, the government refuses to help UK hauliers struggling to compete against European firms entering the country. These fleets increase the burden on our roads, but do not pay tax, and fill their tanks up cheaply before they leave Calais.
“Conversely, UK hauliers delivering to the continent must depart on the most expensive fuel in Europe and then contend with toll roads upon arrival as well as road tax in the UK. European hauliers should be taxed fairly to allow UK firms to adequately compete on their own soil. A UK road tax at the point of entry would achieve this.”
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