BUDGET: The Fuelcard Company's comment

The Fuelcard Company's Marketing Director Jakes de Kock reacts to today's Budget:

“The high cost of fuel has reached such a level that fleet businesses are being forced to turn down work because there is no profit to be made.

"In his opening speech, the Chancellor said this Budget would 'reward work' and 'back business' however his decision not to freeze fuel duty goes against this. He is certainly not supporting businesses in the transport sector.

“The report by the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) clearly states that a cut in fuel duty would boost the economy and create 180,000 jobs in the first year at no net tax loss, so why is Government continuing to place unsustainable tax burdens on motorists?

“The Chancellor's decision to go ahead with the 3p fuel duty rise in August is a huge blow particularly to those who drive for a living, who are already struggling to cope with some of the highest fuel prices in Europe.

"The rise will mean a 50-litre petrol tank will cost about £1.81 more, putting further strains on stretched family budgets and forcing many companies in the transport industry out of business.

“Not only is Government ignoring the wishes of the entire country, which reported a cut in fuel duty as their number one Budget priority in a recent YouGov poll, but they are also strangling the economy by preventing transport businesses from competing with European competitors.”