PRESS RELEASE FROM ROB FLELLO, MP FOR STOKE-ON-TRENT SOUTH AND CHAIRMAN OF THE ALL-PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP FOR FREIGHT TRANSPORT. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
MP presents petition to Number 10 calling for 3p per litre Budget cut in fuel duty to help recovery and freight transport industries
-Rob Flello, chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freight Transport, says cut would bring ‘welcome relief’
AN MP has presented a petition to 10 Downing Street calling on the Government to cut fuel duty by 3p per litre in tomorrow’s (MAR 19) Budget to help the recovery and freight transport industries.
Rob Flello handed over the petition, organised by Fair Fuel UK and backed by millions of drivers, with the campaign’s lead spokesman, motoring journalist Quentin Willson, and one of its main supporters, Road Haulage Association chief executive Geoff Dunning.
The MP, who is chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Freight Transport, said: “Chancellor George Osborne needs to put forward a Budget which will help the recovery and freight transport industries.
“A cut in fuel duty would bring welcome relief to the many businesses in these sectors who are struggling with rising energy costs.”
Fair Fuel UK, which is calling on the Government to launch an inquiry into fuel price transparency, says fuel duty accounts for 60 per cent of the price at the pumps.
Its campaign to cut fuel duty has the backing of 540,000 supporters and the endorsement of groups such as the RAC, which represents seven million motorists.
Other backers include the Freight Transport Association (FTA), The Association of Pallet Networks and UKLPG, the trade association for the UK’s liquefied petroleum gas industry.
Mr Flello said: “The widespread support the Fair Fuel UK campaign has gained from businesses and the public demonstrates the strength of feeling the issue generates.
“As an MP, I’m going to continue to press the Government to take action on this issue.”
According to the FTA, it is estimated that each penny of fuel duty costs freight and logistics operators £116 million a year and that cutting it by 3p per litre would save the industry around £350 million a year.
Evidence from the National Institute for Economic and Social Research and the Centre for Economics and Business Research shows such a reduction would also create at least 70,000 jobs, increase GDP by 0.2 per cent and help lower inflation.
Mr Flello said: “The current fuel duty system is not sustainable and while a 3p cut in duty will help people immediately, the Government must take radical action to reform the system for the future.”
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NOTES:
- Further information is available from Adrian Jenkins on 01782 844810.