Fuel duty rise sparks anger

22/01/2008

Business representatives have joined forces to urge the chancellor not to go ahead with an increase in fuel duty due in April.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), in conjunction with road hauliers and business owners from across the UK, has written a letter to the chancellor asking him to reconsider the rise.

A 2p per litre increase is planned which could add up to £170m in extra costs for businesses, according to the BCC.

David Frost, director general of the BCC, said: “The message being sent from government to our logistics industry is particularly worrying.

“The ability for hauliers to compete with other European firms is looking increasingly threatened, especially considering the UK economy faces a slow down in 2008. The government must urgently reconsider this unnecessary rise in fuel tax to protect hauliers and businesses who use the roads on a daily basis.”

The planned fuel duty rise comes just weeks before the new Low Emission Zone (LEZ) comes into force.

From February 4 the LEZ will impose daily charges on vehicles that drive into greater London which do not meet certain EU emission standards.

Charges will range between £100 and £200 on heavy goods vehicles that emit certain levels of pollution.