The government should get serious on fuel duty with an outright cut – not with just another postponement, the British International Freight Association said in advance of the budget.
Director general Peter Quantrill said the association’s members wanted long term certainty on fuel prices, rather than incremental postponements.
“We would still like to see the introduction of an essential user rebate and some form of fuel duty stabilisation mechanism.”
In addition to concerns over fuel prices, the problems caused by congestion remained a major issue.
“We also hope to see some positive announcements about investment in transport infrastructure, not just to help kick start economic growth, but also to alleviate congestion which is evident across all transport modes and causes major problems to our members’ management of customer supply chains,” said Quantrill.
“BIFA always urges those in power, not to overlook the important role of freight transport and international trade in a country’s economic success. Our members are the ‘glue’ which holds international trade together, and they deserve recognition of this fact with some positive initiatives in this week’s budget, which really helps businesses be confident in the economy going forward.”
* Support for a stronger supply chain was high on the list for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
It called on the government to commit to the Regional Growth Fund and Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Fund and put them on a permanent footing – to provide confidence and support for supply chain companies.
Interim chief executive, Mike Baunton said: “To ensure we remain one of the leading destinations for direct investment, and to build upon the commitments already made, it is imperative that the overall UK business environment is competitive and provides a distinct rationale and incentive for companies to invest.
“SMMT calls on the Chancellor to spearhead a proactive government, support innovation, grow the low and ultra-low carbon vehicle market in the UK, and support opportunities in the supply chain; particularly in access to finance. We urge him to continue to develop the UK’s flexible workforce, and importantly, we need him and his colleagues in government to provide a strong voice in Europe.”
It also called on the government to ensure that its energy efficiency schemes are not detrimental to the UK’s business environment and reverse the decision to remove the Climate Change Agreement (CCA) exemption rule from the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) scheme.
