Fuel and road provisions in the newly announced budget are too focused on environmental theory and do not pay sufficient attention to the current realities facing drivers, fuel card reseller the Fuelcard Company has said.

Marketing director Jakes de Kock said: “These environmentally-friendly measures are commendable but somewhat lacking in substance. The Euro VI air quality standard does not come into force until January 2013 and company cars with emissions rate that low simply don’t exist yet.

“The price of fuel in the UK is a scandal. Figures revealed by the Scottish National Party in November threw a sharp spotlight on just how heavily taxed fuel is in the UK - before tax, UK diesel is the second cheapest in Europe; after tax it is the most expensive.

“When will the Government begin to recognise that fuel is not a luxury for many people in this country but a daily necessity? The freight and haulage industry, for example, provides a vital logistical service to businesses and organisations across the country and yet is left perpetually struggling to stay afloat thanks to these apparently never-ending hikes in fuel duty.”

He concluded: “We were, however, glad to see a commitment in the Budget to keeping Vehicle Excise Duty for HGVs frozen at its current level until the end of 2011. A modest measure, perhaps, but one that will certainly help hard pressed haulage firms.”