Friday, August 02, 2013
Fuel rebate for All says Road Haulage Association
The Road Haulage Association, while welcoming the news that the Treasury is to call for evidence to support its scheme to reduce fuel duty in remote regions of the UK, finds the definition of ‘remote' somewhat confusing.
The RHA, together with the Scottish National Party lobbied strongly for a reduction in fuel duty as a sure-fire method of boosting the economy, and the fuel duty discount pilot scheme for remote island communities began in March 2012. This applies to the Inner and Outer Hebrides, the Northern Isles, the islands in the Clyde and the Isles of Scilly.
Commenting, RHA Chief Executive Geoff Dunning said: "We have reviewed the list of counties and districts that are under consideration for a duty reduction and find it bizarre that, for instance, while Devon is considered to be remote, Cornwall is not. Similarly, while the Isle of Anglesey is considered remote, the Isle of Man is not.
"In 2011/2012, the total tax take from UK road users amounted to £58 billion pounds. Of that, over £36 billion is from fuel duty and VAT on fuel. Surely if, as already stated, these proposed rebates are to help boost the economy, there can be little excuse not to reduce fuel duty across the board.
"A 5 pence per litre cut in fuel duty would equate to a £2,000 per annum reduction for a road haulier operating a typical 44tonne articulated truck. The long term knock on effects of this would far outweigh any temporary Treasury loss and would ensure the financial stability the economy so desperately needs."
Commenting, RHA Chief Executive Geoff Dunning said: "We have reviewed the list of counties and districts that are under consideration for a duty reduction and find it bizarre that, for instance, while Devon is considered to be remote, Cornwall is not. Similarly, while the Isle of Anglesey is considered remote, the Isle of Man is not.
"In 2011/2012, the total tax take from UK road users amounted to £58 billion pounds. Of that, over £36 billion is from fuel duty and VAT on fuel. Surely if, as already stated, these proposed rebates are to help boost the economy, there can be little excuse not to reduce fuel duty across the board.
"A 5 pence per litre cut in fuel duty would equate to a £2,000 per annum reduction for a road haulier operating a typical 44tonne articulated truck. The long term knock on effects of this would far outweigh any temporary Treasury loss and would ensure the financial stability the economy so desperately needs."
DATED: 02.08.13
FEED: HA
