BUILDING materials giant Hanson is reintroducing fuel cards for staff, just months after scrapping them as part of a major overhaul of its fleet. Hanson announced it was scrapping free fuel for private mileage as part of a wholesale shake-up of the firm's car policy in February, including abandoning company cars in favour of cash.

Drivers had to hand in their fuel cards, and were expected to pay for business fuel themselves and then reclaim it. The U-turn follows consultation with staff, intended to ensure a smooth transition from company cars into the cash for car scheme, which the firm insists is progressing well.

ARVAL PHH will supply the fuel cards, and has waged a long-term campaign to educate fleet decision-makers that getting rid of free fuel for private mileage should not mean scrapping fuel cards as well. Hanson drivers will now use ARVAL PHH's innovative paper-free Mileage Capture System to record separately their business and personal mileage through a 24-hour telephone line.

MCS calculates the amount of fuel used for private mileage and determines the cost to be reimbursed by the driver. This is then deducted automatically from the driver's salary.