The Freight Transport Association is once again calling on Chancellor Gordon Brown to continue the freeze on fuel duty in his Pre-Budget Report tomorrow.
The FTA says that despite a fall in crude oil prices over the last couple of months, fuel prices in the UK remain the highest in Europe as a consequence of its 47p per litre fuel duty. For commercial vehicle operators this 47p per litre compares with an average of just 22p per litre for diesel across the rest of Europe.
The Chancellor chose to freeze the duty level in August 2005 at a time when crude prices were similar to those at present. The problems of the UK road transport industry remain unchanged since that time and any increase in costs as a consequence of higher fuel duty would be harmful to UK operators who are already paying so much more than their overseas competitors, the association claimed.
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