The chairman of the United Kingdom Warehousing Association has urged the Conservative Party to fulfil its pre-election pledge and introduce a fuel duty stabiliser at the earliest possible opportunity.
Derrick Potter made the comment at UKWA’s AGM, which was held before its annual lunch and awards event at the Dorchester Hotel in London.
Chancellor George Osborne stated in June’s emergency budget that the potential impact of the fuel duty stabiliser would be subject to an investigation, the results of which would be known after the summer.
Potter said: “While I welcome the investigation in to the fuel duty stabiliser scheme, the freight logistics industry needs decisive action if it is to be able to plan for the future with any kind of certainty.
“Unfortunately, some of the flagship policies of the pre-election Conservative manifesto appear to have been quietly dropped or at least diluted since the party’s successful courtship of the Lib-Dems. It would be particularly regrettable if the Tories’ do not follow through with their pre-election commitment to a fair fuel stabiliser.”
He also criticised the decision to go ahead with the planned increases in fuel announced by the last government, which are due to come into effect in October this year and January 2011.
“The price rises coupled with the increase in the rate of VAT will make it even harder for UK hauliers to be competitive with their foreign counterparts,” he added.
“The fact is that the UK needs a strong haulage industry if it is to compete on the world stage. I hope the new government has a better understanding of this than the previous administration.”
• A total of nine awards were presented to winners at the awards lunch.
Best New UKWA Member Award:
White Arrow Logistics
Environment Award:
NYK Logistics UK
Technology and Innovation:
Briggs Equipment
Training Award:
Systems Training
Team of the Year:
Wincanton Group
Customer Service Award:
Joint winners: Bibby Distribution and MDA
Employee of the Year:
Bob Steward, EDF Energy
Warehouse Manager of the Year Award:
Stephen Steenson, The Malcolm Group
Chairman’s Award:
David Williams, Great Bear Distribution
