FTA and RHA welcome Chancellor’s hint on fuel duty 28 January 2011

The FTA and RHA have welcomed Chancellor George Osborne's announcement yesterday that the government is likely to be addressing the fuel duty issue in the next budget.

Questioned on BBC WM, Osborne commented that plans made by the previous Chancellor Alistair Darling to increase fuel duty by 1p per litre, in addition to inflation, on 1 April could be addressed.

"We can override it; we are looking at that," he said.

"This is very encouraging news," says RHA chief executive Geoff Dunning. "It proves beyond doubt that the noise we have been making on this issue has not fallen on deaf ears."

His view, however: "A duty freeze in April can only be regarded as a short term fix. If we are to stand any chance of long term growth, it is essential that we see a long term solution to this problem."

And FTA chief executive Theo de Pencier agrees: "We welcome Mr Osborne's public support for scrapping the fuel duty rise, but we want more than just warm words from the Chancellor for the sake of UK businesses and the country's economic recovery. We look forward to seeing the small print."

Author
Brian Tinham

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