Rod McKenzie, RHA Executive Director, said: “Cutting fuel duty is a common sense move and will be a boost for the economy, but more could have been done.
“The Chancellor missed an opportunity to announce a rebate to relieve more pressure on businesses. We’ll continue to press the Government hard for this measure as firms grapple with The RHA has welcomed the Chancellor's announcement of a 5 pence per litre cut in fuel duty in his Spring Statement.
Prior to the Spring Statement, the RHA lobbied for:
- A one-year delay to the red diesel rule changes with a phased introduction
- A cut or freeze on fuel duty for diesel for a further two years
- The introduction of an essential-user rebate for lorry and coach operators
Business Group Logistics UK welcomed the cut: “Fuel is the single biggest expense incurred by logistics operators, accounting for a third of the annual operating cost of an HGV. The cut in fuel duty of 5ppl will result in an average saving of £2,356 per year per 44-tonne truck; this move will help to strengthen the UK’s supply chain during a time of ongoing financial and operational challenges.”
Prior to the Spring Statement, Kate Gibbs, Head of Communications at the RHA, said: “It’s going to be a real struggle with pump prices at the highest I can ever remember. It really is a massive outlay and the more the price goes up the more the price has to be passed on down. You and I are the ones that end up paying at supermarkets.