The Fuelcard Company has launched a campaign under the banner of ‘Don’t Fleece Our Fleet’ calling on the Government to lower fuel tax for commercial drivers.
It claims the fleet industry has seen fuel duty increase by 15% during the recession and intends to raise awareness through a petition and a six-week nationwide tour.
“The fleet industry is the backbone of the UK economy, providing 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,” said Jakes de Kock, marketing director of The Fuelcard Company.
“We are calling on the Government to support the UK fleet industry which has suffered in the past few years with repeated fuel tax hikes leaving many companies fighting for survival.
“The latest measures announced in the emergency budget, including the increase in VAT and the change to capital allowances, will only serve to weaken the industry further.”
The Fuelcard Company claims UK diesel duty is by far the highest in the European Union, at 57.19 pence a litre, and more than double what some of its EU competitors pay.
The petition will call on the Government to lower fuel tax, or freeze it at its current level, before the UK fleet industry suffers irreparable damage.
Geoff Dunning, chief executive of the Road Haulage Association, said: “The RHA fully supports The Fuelcard Company in its bid to raise awareness of such a vitally important issue to our members.”
The nationwide tour will kick-off with a barbeque on Thursday, July 8, at Waterfront Services Truckstop in Felixstowe before continuing around the country.
To sign up to the petition visit www.fuelcardroadshow.co.uk.
Gareth has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist having started his career in local newspapers in the 1990s. Prior to joining Fleet News in 2008, he worked in the public sector as a media advisor and is currently news editor at Fleet News.
adamrollins - 06/07/2010 15:59
We all know that fuel prices are one of the greatest contributers to inflation. Some semblance of the proposed fuel price stabiliser would be a good result from the campaign. With fuel duty increments still to be implemented, to be followed with the VAT increase in January, surely there is some opportunity for a rudimentary stabiliser to be introduced. In any case, fleets must ensure they work in the most tax efficient environment that they can. For cars this means proper accounting for business and private mileage to ensure HMRC compliance. Remember that HMRC can look retrospectively at business and private mileage accounting as well, so it is essential to get this right. www.midas-fms.com for full mileage management.