New Launches
Show Report: CV Show 2012
What a cracking event the 2012 Commercial Vehicle Show turned out to be, thanks in no small part to Ford… Read More
Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Long-Term Test 1
We has just taken delivery of a Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Club Cab for long-term appraisal… Read More
Ford Transit ECOnetic Brief Test
We’ve been putting a SWB 100hp 2.2TDi Euro 5 Transit 280 ECOnetic through its paces… Read More
Renault Kangoo ZE 2011 European Launch
Renault is at the forefront of manufacturers offering a mass produced factory-built electric van… Read More
Fuso Canter 2011 European Launch
Fuso has completely revamped its range of light and heavy truck Canter chassis and chassis crew cabs… Read More
Iveco Daily 2011 European Launch
Iveco has introduced new, latest generation diesels to its Daily range, along with detail changes inside and out… Read More
Ford Transit 2011 European Launch
Ford takes the iconic Transit to the next stage with an all-new range of 2.2-litre Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 UK Launch
VW’s large panel van has undergone a serious makeover with changes to the front-end styling and the cab interior, as well as new Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Ford Transit Connect Electric Brief Test
We spent a day with the battery-powered Connect to get a better idea of what it’s like to live with in its natural, urban environment. Read More
Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL Brief Test
Currently undergoing trials with selected fleet customers in the UK, we managed to get behind the wheel of a battery-powered Vito E-CELL… Read More
MPs back motion to cut fuel duty
Following a four-hour Back Bench debate in the House of Commons triggered by FairFuelUK’s e-petition MPs vote for action of fuel duty. Chloe Smith, the economic under secretary to the Treasury, heard how high fuel prices have damaged businesses and communities, restricted economic growth, hurt motorists and stoked inflation and unemployment across the country. MPs told how hauliers and businesses in their constituencies have suffered at the hands of the highest rates of fuel duty in the EU and struggled to remain competitive and solvent, citing evidence from the Freight Transport Association (FTA), Road Haulage Association (RHA) and other organisations.
Calls for substantive measures, including scrapping the fuel duty rises planned for 2012 and introducing a fuel duty stabiliser, were made from either side of the House and at the end of the debate the ‘ayes’ had it in an unanimous show of approval for the motion.
While Smith said she had listened, the FairFuelUK campaign and its partners will be working hard to turn warm words into government action ahead of the Chancellor's autumn statement on 29 November.
“There can be no doubt now about the seriousness of this issue,” said Robert Halfon, MP for Harlow. “Millions of members of the public, thousands of businesses and over 100 Parliamentarians have made it 100 per cent clear to the Government that Fuel Duty needs to go down and not increase next year. This is the number one issue facing families and businesses across the UK; they can suffer no longer.”Theo de Pencier, chief executive officer of the FTA said: “Clearly, the instinct to raise taxes to fill a massive budget deficit heaps more cost pressure on business and stymies economic growth and must be suppressed. We have achieved a new level of engagement with MPs on this issue, but government needs to act now to kickstart our economy; scrapping the fuel duty rises planned for 2012 would be an excellent start.”
“It was extremely encouraging to hear those present give such a positive response to such a vital issue,” commented RHA chief executive Geoff Dunning. “Road hauliers in general and the members of the RHA in particular will be encouraged to know that their hard work is recognised by their parliamentary representatives.
“The pressures under which hauliers operate was stressed by several MPs; it’s good to know that all the hard work is finally paying off. However, we cannot yet regard the abolition of January’s proposed duty increase as a done deal. There is still a long way to go, but we are delighted that the debate has shown that the voice speaking in our favour is louder than ever before.”