Fuel campaign gathers momentum

Mike Parry
Editor at Freight Industry Times


Post date: Friday, 4th February 2011

The Fair Fuel UK campaign, which aims to put pressure on the government to abandon the increase in fuel duty planned for April, is gathering momentum and continues to gain support from road users, business sectors, the media and politicians.

Representatives from the Freight Transport Association and Road Haulage Association met with columnist and TV pundit Quentin Willson recently to present MPs Philip Davies (Conservative), Stephen Lloyd (Liberal Democrat), Nick Smith (Labour) and Alan Reid (Scottish Liberal Democrat) with letters addressed to all MPs urging them to press for the forthcoming fuel duty rise to be scrapped. The letters also called for the introduction of a methodology for stabilising fuel prices.

Following their meeting on College Green, opposite the House of Commons, Philip Davies MP said: "The high price of fuel is crippling not only hauliers, but the general motorist. We're all here today to try and bring about some pressure on the Government to reduce the duty on fuel.  I hope the chancellor is listening to the concerns people are expressing; given that two thirds of the cost of a litre of fuel is tax, the onus is on him to reduce duty."

Endorsing the campaign’s aim and objectives from the perspectives of business and the motorist alike, Quentin Willson said: “If something isn't done soon, it will de-stabilise the whole economy. If the chancellor persists with the April duty rise, the irony is that any receipts it brings in will be wiped out by the fact that people will travel less and spend less."

Adding his voice to the debate, Jakes de Kock of The Fuelcard Company, said: “The fleet industry cannot and will not tolerate this continuous rise of fuel prices which has put the future of hundreds of UK businesses in jeopardy.  If the Government presses ahead with the April fuel duty increase the effect will be devastating and will resonate across the entire economy in the shape of job losses and food shortages.

“Although it is encouraging to hear that George Osborne is reconsidering the fuel tax hike, we must keep the pressure on and present a united front.  This is why we are supporting the Fair Fuel UK Campaign and would strongly urge other businesses to do the same.  We have already been let down by the Government once after plans for a fair fuel stabiliser failed to materialise.  We will do everything in our power to ensure that doesn’t happen again.”

At the time of going to press the Fair Fuel UK petition had already gathered almost 35,000 on-line signatures, with many more expected in the run-up to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Budget statement. In the coming weeks, signatories of the petition will listen to what David Cameron and George Osborne say with added interest and expect a positive response sooner rather than later.

To sign the petition on-line, visit Fair Fuel UK. 

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