Couriers claim fuel duty increase would be 'unthinkable'
Date: 17 March 2008
The professional body which represents the interests of couriers and other owner drivers has said that the government should commit to delaying increases in fuel duty for at least a year.
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) said that couriers and other professional drivers were pleased when the chancellor announced last week that the government would delay the 2p per litre increase in fuel duty until October 1st.
However, it added that the recent increase in the price of oil to $110 per barrel meant that couriers would like to see any duty increases put off for at least a year.
According to the FTA, the six-month deferment will save couriers and other professional drivers around £140 million.
It stressed that this saving was insignificant compared to the £2.5 billion losses sustained since January 2007 as a result of fuel price increases.
FTA director of external affairs Geoff Dossetter said: "The high price of fuel impacts on not just the transport industry but the whole of UK industry as world prices go through the roof.
"In turn these increased prices must be passed to consumers. For the chancellor to have added to this pain by seeking further taxation would have been unthinkable."
In addition, the FTA said that the government should consider "decoupling" the way fuel is taxed on courier and other commercial vehicles against cars.
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